Summary

Jane Goodall's new book, "The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times," focuses on four sources of hope: the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power of youth, and the indomitable human spirit.

Abstract

Jane Goodall, a renowned primatologist, anthropologist, and ethologist, has released a new book titled "The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times." The book is structured as a conversation between Goodall and her co-author, Douglas Abrams, and highlights four main sources of hope: the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power of youth, and the indomitable human spirit. Goodall expresses her faith in these areas, particularly in the younger generation's commitment to environmental issues and equality. She encourages readers to take action to help the planet, such as recycling, using less plastic, and planting trees.

Opinions

Goodall has faith in the resilience of nature and the power of youth to bring about positive change.
She believes in the amazing human intellect and the indomitable human spirit as sources of hope.
Goodall encourages readers to take action to help the planet, such as recycling, using less plastic, and planting trees.
She expresses hope for the future, despite the current dark times and the predictions of climate experts and scientists.
Goodall believes that the cumulative effect of thousands of ethical actions can help save and improve the world for future generations.

The Four Subtitles of Hope

According to Jane Goodall

Photo by Andrew Haimerl (andrewnef) on Unsplash

Jane Goodall: If you don’t recognize the name, she’s a British primatologist, anthropologist, and ethologist, and she’s been a leading voice in the area of activism on environmental issues for several decades. She may be best remembered for her research and work with the chimpanzees in the 1980s, or for being appointed as UN Messenger of Peace in September 2002 at the United Nations: A post she still holds to this day.

Jane Goodall has a new book out. It is titled, “The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times.” The book is laid out as an ongoing conversation between Goodall and her co-author, Douglas Abrams. During this conversation, she alludes to the fact that . . .

“We are going through dark times,”

There is good reason for hope, though. Goodall focuses this hope on four main sources:

“the amazing human intellect”

“the resilience of nature”

“the power of youth”

“the indomitable human spirit”

She shows an enormous amount of faith in these areas. Of course, she’s been witness to the “resilience of nature” through her tireless work and research over the years.

“The power of Youth?” This is clearly evident these days as it seems to be the younger members of our population that seem more geared towards environmental issues and standing up for equality and empathy.

That leaves, “the amazing human intellect” and “the indomitable human spirit.”

We are all “Humans,” so that means that she's counting on the rest of us! That’s right, Jane Goodall, in her new book, “The Book of Hope,” has enlisted and put her faith in all of us.

It is the Holiday season, a season of gift-giving. How about a gift for the planet? New Years Day is right around the corner. How about a New Years' resolution:

Start recycling, buy an electric or hybrid vehicle, ride a bicycle to work, walk to work (if possible), carpool, use less plastic, use glass (then refill it or recycle it), turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees this winter (wear a sweater); if you use canned foods, rinse out the can and recycle it (I know it’s a pain in the rear, but it’s the planet you’re doing this for), plant a few trees if you have room, clean up trashy areas if you can, take care of the land and the rivers and the streams, take care of your neighbor, foster goodwill.

There are hundreds of other things you can do to help. Google it. Become active. Jane Goodall believes in you. She believes in all of us. One more quote from her new book that says so much about her spirit . . .

“the cumlative effect of thousands of ethical actions can help to save and improve our world for future generations.”

With so many climate experts and scientists saying that our world is on track to fall into demise, Jane Goodall holds out hope. She has faith in Nature and she has faith in Humanity.

Please, dear God please, we can’t let her down. Show up for Jane Goodall. Show up for the good of our planet. Show up for future generations.

Thank you.