The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times

by Jane Goodall

Probably the question I am asked more often than any other is: Do you honestly believe there is hope for our world? For the future of our children and grandchildren? And I am able to answer truthfully, yes. I believe we still have a window of time during which we can start healing the harm we have inflicted on the planet—but that window is closing. If we care about the future of our children and theirs, if we care about the health of the natural world, we must get together and take action. Now—before it is too late.

“I guess the depth of our grief is a reminder of the depth of our love.”

“I am feeling wonder and awe about this incredible world we live in. And the truth is, we’re destroying it before we’ve even finished learning about it. We think we are smarter than nature, but we are not. Our human intellect is amazing, but we must be humble and recognize that there is an even greater intelligence in nature.”

But it helps if we believe that in the end, even though we probably won’t be around, nature will deal with the destruction we have caused.”

“Just think—Don, Blue, and Yellow saved a whole species,” said Jane. “Blue lived four years longer than the usual age. When she died at thirteen years old, she was famous and affectionately known as Old Blue. A statue was erected to her memory.”

Our efforts to protect endangered species preserve biodiversity on the Earth—and when we protect all life, we inherently protect our own.”

We have not inherited the Earth from our ancestors but borrowed it from our children.’ And yet we have not borrowed it from our children. We’ve stolen it! When you borrow something, the expectation is that you will repay. We have been stealing their future for countless years and the magnitude of our theft has now reached absolutely unacceptable proportions.”

“That’s wonderful, but doesn’t it feel like a drop in the ocean, given the overwhelming autocracy or tyranny that people are facing around the world?” “But millions of drops actually make the ocean.” I smiled. Hope, checkmate.