Dr. Jane Goodall has a moment of contemplation at the Night of Hope in Action at the Brooklyn Museum. Photo by Beth Eisgrau-Heller for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, conservationist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, spoke before a sold-out house of ardent fans at the Brooklyn Museum on Tuesday night.
Goodall received a standing ovation as she ascended the stage of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, and again as she greeted the audience in remarkably convincing Chimpanzee language, saying, “This is me, this is Jane.”
She was introduced by Anne Pasternak, Brooklyn Museum’s Shelby White and Leon Levy Director. Goodall’s appearance coincided with the start of Earth Month and, also with her 89th birthday on Monday — which she celebrated with a shot of American-made whiskey and a toast.
Goodall delivered a message of hope for those who fear there is nothing they can do to stop the destruction of the planet. “Just do one thing,” she said. “Every individual makes a difference. Nature can come back if you give it a chance — it has an indomitable spirit.”
She was joined by members of the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots youth program and environmental activists, including Pakistani American human rights and climate advocate Ayisha Siddiqa; Sanchali Pal, CEO and founder of Commons, a personal carbon footprint-tracking app; poet Jade Lozada; Cindi Leive, CEO and co-founder of media company Meteor; and artist Treasure Brooks.
Goodall’s visit also coincided with Brooklyn Museum’s exhibition “Climate in Crisis: Environmental Change in the Indigenous Americas.”
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