"Dr. Jane Goodall passed away on October 1, 2025. Having worked very closely with her for many years, every December I reflect on the past year, and what is coming up in the new year, and it came to me that revisiting and updating a short essay I wrote with Jane in December 1999, as we were heading into a new century, could provide a good beginning and some much-needed hope."
"One of our major messages was that all animals, human and nonhuman, and their homes and other habitats would benefit from the efforts, no matter how big or small, of those who can make a positive difference in their lives. As I was writing this essay, I came upon an entire issue of Time magazine devoted to Jane's life that revisited a few of her significant contributions. Reflecting on her enduring passion and global influence-"Jane Magic"-on millions of people and keeping it alive seemed timely given her passing a few months ago. There remains much unfinished business."
"One: Compassion and empathy for animals beget compassion and empathy for humans. Cruelty towards animals begets cruelty toward humans. Two: All life has value and should be respected. Every animal owns their own life spark. Animals are not owned as property. All living creatures deserve these basic rights: the right to life, freedom from torture, and liberty to express their individual natures. Many law schools offer courses in animal law. If we agree, we would interact with animals in rather different ways. We shall need compelling reasons for denying these rights and ask forgiveness for any animal we harm."
Dr. Jane Goodall passed away on October 1, 2025, leaving a legacy of conservation, empathy, and global influence. Twelve Millennial Mantras outline principles for human responsibility toward animals and their habitats. The mantras assert that compassion for animals begets compassion for humans and that all life has intrinsic value. The principles assert that animals deserve basic rights — the right to life, freedom from torture, and liberty to express their natures — and call for transformed human-animal interactions, legal and moral accountability, and continued action to protect animals and habitats.
Read at Psychology Today
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