Honoring Jane Goodall's legacy

Jane Goodall died during her constant 300-day travels to raise awareness among young and old about the plight of wildlife and our planet. Most importantly, she taught us that each one of us can do something every day to help, from what we eat and wear to teaching our children to love and protect and our planet.

Experts have stated that we have exceeded our planet’s ability to support us by 80%; the planet is in extinction crisis. Here in the U.S., bird populations have decreased by one-third. The elephant in the room is the need to human population growth worldwide. In the U.S., our consumption and its impact on the environment is equivalent to that of 100 people in India. Most nations had agreed to limit CO2 to decrease global warming, which is the other major impact. Shame on Trump for telling the UN that climate change is a hoax and shame on him and his minions for gutting renewable energy policies, pushing fossil fuels and working to gut the Endangered Species Act. They have also launched continual attacks on wildlife, forests, oceans, clean air and water, and our health and wellbeing.

Each of us must be like Goodall, raising awareness about the wonders of wildlife and the need for rich, diverse forests and oceans for wildlife and humans. Work to protect wolves. Attend CPW meetings and work to protect wildlife in Colorado and stop trapping bobcats and other furbearers and hunting mountain lions. Try a plant-based diet or eat beef raised locally, only buy sustainable seafood and buy organic food.

Today, spend some time honoring the legacy of Goodall and continue that in your own way.

– Margaret Mayer, Durango