Lorraine Williamson
British primatologist and environmental campaigner Dr Jane Goodall visited Málaga this week as part of her ongoing global advocacy tour. Now aged 91, she continues to speak publicly about the urgent need for environmental protection and climate action.
During her visit, Goodall appeared on Spanish television programme La Revuelta (La 1) and delivered a talk at the La Concepción Botanical Garden. There, she spoke to students, scientists and environmentalists about the growing threats facing nature. Despite the severity of these challenges, she encouraged collective action. “The worse it gets, the harder I fight,” she said.
Confronting biodiversity loss
Goodall expressed concern about biodiversity loss, particularly in Africa, where chimpanzees face habitat destruction from agriculture, poaching and mining. She acknowledged the contradiction of air travel in her own efforts but said, “If I stay at home, nothing will change. I travel to get people moving.”
Roots in science and activism
Jane Goodall became internationally recognised for her research on chimpanzees in Tanzania. Her discovery that chimpanzees use tools altered the scientific understanding of animal behaviour and earned her a PhD without a traditional degree. Speaking on La Revuelta, she drew comparisons between aggressive chimpanzees and political figures, though she avoided naming names.
Spanish connections and local impact
Goodall has maintained close links with Spain for years. The Jane Goodall Institute España was founded in 2007, focusing on conservation and education. Her Roots & Shoots programme encourages youth-led projects on environmental sustainability and is active across the country. She frequently collaborates with Spanish researchers and institutions.
Hope as a catalyst for change
Moreover, hope remains central to Goodall’s message. “Hope gives us strength,” she said, stressing that despair leads to inaction. Her global network of Roots & Shoots youth groups now spans over sixty countries. “With the right tools, young people really can make a difference.”
Everyday choices matter
Throughout her visit, Goodall underlined the importance of individual responsibility. Whether addressing a TV audience or standing in a botanical garden, her message remained clear: “Every day we have the chance to make choices that matter. It’s not too late — but we have no time to waste.”