EXCLUSIVE




Jane Goodall:

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Jane Goodall: "Australians need a wake up call"

The conservationist tells Tim
Barlass that many Australians aren't aware just how many species are in
danger of extinction here and urges politicians to think about Climate
Change as an issue beyond the next election.



One of the most eminent conservationists in the world has
condemned Australia for its lack of response to climate change and said
the country ''needs a wake-up call''.



Dame Jane Goodall, regarded as the first lady of conservation
and a UN Messenger of Peace who has made a lifetime study of
chimpanzees, accused politicians of having more concern for their
immediate political careers than for future generations.




''I think my message to the politicians who have within their
power the ability to make change is, 'Do you really, really not care
about the future of your great-grandchildren? Because if we let the
world continue to be destroyed the way we are now, what's the world
going to be like for your great-grandchildren?'





Jane Goodall observes a thinking primate in this undated promotional photo.
Wake-up call: Primatologist Dame Jane Goodall. Photo: Michael Neugebauer/AP






''I am not deeply involved in Australian politics but I know
there are prime ministers, governments around the world who are not
acting responsibly in relation to climate change.''




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She said there was a wisdom in the old days when decisions were based on how they would affect future generations.



''Now it is how will this affect me at the next election campaign or the next shareholders' meeting.



''It's when money becomes a god that we see this loss of wisdom.''



Dr Goodall spoke at Taronga Zoo to 300 young people on Friday
and addressed a sell-out audience on Saturday night at Sydney Town
Hall. She is on a lecture tour raising awareness of her Roots &
Shoots program encouraging the world's youth to take community action
to help save the planet.



Prime Minister Tony Abbott has downplayed the role of climate change in relation to droughts and bushfires.



But the Climate Commission, which the government abolished,
reported in February that heatwaves were becoming more frequent and
intense and lasting longer.



''Unfortunately, everything I read about Australia and its
record in caring for the environment is not particularly good right
now,'' Dr Goodall said. ''I know that a lot of animal species are facing
extinction particularly the mammals.''.



''I think Australians need a wake-up call because if action
isn't taken, and taken soon, then these creatures will be gone and they
will be gone forever. Not enough people are aware of the number of
animals that are endangered right now right across Australia.''



Roots & Shoots operates in 136 countries with 150,000
groups and encourages young people to get involved with projects that
help people, animals and the environment.



At 80, Dr Goodall added: ''I can't slow down while I know
that the message I deliver around the world is having an impact and so I
just have to go on because I do care about my
great-great-grandchildren.''



Find out more about Roots & Shoots at janegoodall.org.au.