About
Primatologist, environmentalist and humanitarian, Dr. Goodall was appointed a United Nations Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2002. A pioneer in the study of chimpanzees, she transformed our understanding of the natural world and dedicated her life to the protection of people, animals, and the planet.
She founded the Jane Goodall Institute, internationally recognized for its innovative conservation and community-centered development programmes across Africa, where she began her groundbreaking field research in 1960. Through her global Roots & Shoots programme, she inspired generations of young people in nearly 100 countries to take action for a more just and sustainable world.
As a UN Messenger of Peace for over two decades, Dr. Goodall’s voice brought global attention to the urgency of protecting our environment. Her legacy will continue to guide and inspire humanity’s collective efforts for peace, sustainability, and harmony with nature."
Focus Area: Conservation
Scientific evidence shows that ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure, threatening prospects for sustainable development. The Earth''s biological resources are vital to humanity''s economic and social development. Yet, the effect of human activities - magnified in recent years by population growth and global climate change - has greatly reduced biodiversity in ecosystems around the world.
The entire United Nations system is engaged in environmental protection in diverse ways. Addressing climate change, protecting the atmosphere, improving the sustainable use of energy, combating deforestation, soil loss and desertification, preventing air and water pollution, halting the depletion of fish stocks and promoting the safe management of toxic wastes are some of the many environmental issues the UN is dealing with.