Jane Goodall shares poignant message for her 90th birthday: 'What you do makes a difference'

For her 90s On her birthday on Wednesday, animal rights champion Dr. Jane Goodall made a video in which she and many of her famous friends plead for compassion for animals. “I'm sure you'll all agree that you can't spend time with an animal and not know that we are not the only beings with personality, mind and feelings,” he says at the beginning of the video.

The rest of the four-minute clip finds her and others reciting a statement about the importance of recognizing every part of the world's ecology. Speakers include Ellen Burstyn, Alicia Silverstone, Mýa, Dr. Deepak Chopra, James Cromwell, Persia White, Senator Cory Booker and others. Each reads a line or part of a line from Goodall's speech.

“Farm animals feel pleasure and sadness, excitement and indignation, depression, fear and pain,” readers say. “They are far more aware and intelligent than we ever imagined. They are individuals in their own right. And if we dare to look into those eyes, then we will feel their pain in our hearts. Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help, we will be saved. Reconnecting with nature is key if we want to save the planet.”

Goodall's message goes on to punish people who poison the environment, saying that if we poison animals, we poison humanity. “We are arguably the most intelligent being to ever walk planet Earth with this extraordinary brain,” the message continues. “However, we are destroying the only home we have. Let us replace violence and intolerance with understanding, compassion and love.” The greatest danger to the future, says Goodall, is apathy. “What you do makes a difference,” he says at the end.

Goodall released the video titled Voices of Hope — Words of Wisdom by Dr. Jane Goodallthrough Mercy for animals organization and its own Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). Leah Garcés, CEO and president of Mercy For Animals, praised Goodall's efforts during her lifetime in a statement. “Dr. Goodall has made the world a better place for all its inhabitants and has educated and empowered many generations to take action to create a more just, sustainable and beautiful future,” he said. People.

“As I celebrate my 90th birthday and reflect on my journey, the gift I want to give the world is a message about the connection between animals, humans and the planet we share, and this film by Mercy for Animals and JGI inspires that universal understanding,” Goodall said People.