6 Life Lessons from Jane Goodall for a Greener Planet
The world has lost one of its brightest lights. Dame Jane Goodall, the trailblazing primatologist, environmentalist and lifelong advocate for the planet, passed away at the age of 91. For more than six decades, she inspired generations to see nature not as something separate from us, but as something we are part of.
At The Swag, we believe her message couldn’t be more relevant today. As we reflect on her life’s work, there’s so much we can learn from Jane Goodall’s legacy, about curiosity, compassion, and how small, everyday choices can shape a more sustainable future.
1. Respect every living thing
When Jane first stepped into the forests of Tanzania in 1960, she challenged everything scientists thought they knew. Her discovery that chimpanzees make and use tools reshaped our understanding of the natural world and reminded humanity how deeply we’re connected to it.
Her lifelong message was simple: every creature has value, and protecting habitats protects us all.
That same philosophy underpins everything we do at The Swag. Reducing plastic, preventing food waste, and caring for the earth’s resources aren’t just eco-friendly choices - they’re acts of respect for the ecosystems that sustain life.
When we choose reusable over disposable, we honour the planet’s incredible web of life.
2. Small actions make a big difference
Jane Goodall never set out to become a global icon. She began with a notebook, patience, and a deep sense of wonder. Over time, those small, consistent actions became a movement that transformed conservation.
In sustainability, the same principle applies. One reusable bag might seem small, but imagine if millions of households made that single switch. Less plastic waste in our oceans, fewer resources wasted, and healthier habitats for wildlife - all from a simple habit repeated daily.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it begins with one mindful choice.
3. Hope is a strategy
Despite witnessing deforestation and species loss firsthand, Jane refused to give in to despair. She believed hope was not naïve, it was essential. Her message was that every individual has a role to play and that collective action starts with personal responsibility.
At The Swag, we see that same spirit in our community - people choosing sustainable living not because it’s trendy, but because they believe a better future is possible.
Stay hopeful and take action, even when progress feels slow. Hope grows stronger with every step we take.
4. Education and community drive change
One of Jane’s greatest legacies is the Roots & Shoots program, which is a youth movement encouraging young people worldwide to create local projects for people, animals, and the environment.
Her belief in the power of education mirrors how we approach sustainability: it starts with awareness, then spreads through community. Whether you’re teaching your kids about food waste, or telling your friends about your new easy sustainable swap, every conversation matters.
The more we share knowledge, the stronger the ripple effect of positive change.
5. Living lightly is a form of gratitude
Jane Goodall lived with humility, often speaking about how humans have taken more than our fair share from the planet. She encouraged people to live simply, consume mindfully, and give back more than they take.
That ethos aligns perfectly with The Swag’s mission - helping households live sustainably by keeping food fresh for longer, reducing waste, and lessening our environmental footprint. Each time you make one sustainable change like using your Swag instead of a plastic bag, you’re practising gratitude for nature’s resources.
Sustainability isn’t sacrifice; it’s thankfulness in action.
6. Carry her legacy forward
As we honour Jane Goodall’s passing, we also celebrate the incredible hope she left behind. Her work reminds us that you don’t need to be a scientist to make a difference, just someone who cares enough to act.
Start small. Store your produce plastic-free. Compost your scraps. Choose reusables. Support conservation charities. Speak up for the planet.
Because the truth Jane Goodall spent her life proving is this: when we protect nature, we protect ourselves.
In her own words:
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall
At The Swag, we’re inspired by that every day - to help people make the kind of difference that lasts.
Practical ways to live Jane Goodall’s message
- Buy local, seasonal produce and store it in reusable Swags to reduce waste.
- Compost or repurpose food scraps to nourish the earth.
- Reduce single-use plastics - choose glass, stainless steel, or cloth alternatives.
- Support reforestation and wildlife organisations in her honour.
- Share what you learn; change starts through conversation.
Jane Goodall taught the world to look closer - to see connection instead of separation, and possibility instead of limitation. Her voice reminded us that hope is powerful, empathy is courageous, and no action is too small to matter.
