Welcome to another edition of B-Well Together, a 30-minute webinar series, highlighting tips, resources, and coping skills from leading wellbeing experts to support you and your families. Prior episodes featured renowned Buddhist meditation practitioner and author Jack Kornfield, award-winning comedian Trevor Noah, and CEO whisperer Jerry Colonna.

Here, Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, conservationist, anthropologist, author, and activist, discusses how infringing on animal habitats contributes to the rise of human pandemics.

In her 60 years of groundbreaking work studying and living among chimpanzees, Dr. Goodall has seen the best and worst of man’s treatment of the natural world. She has also lived through World War II, outbreaks like polio and HIV, and uprisings on the African continent. But she’s never seen anything like COVID-19.

“We’re fighting an unseen minute enemy,” Goodall says. “It’s the first time the whole world has been shut down. But let’s hope and pray that we learn from this pandemic.”

In this video, Goodall reflects on her life’s work to protect animals and the environment, and she projects incredible hope that some of the good that’s come out of the pandemic — reduced pollution, tighter communities, and a greater sense of humanity — will continue.

“Each one of us makes a difference every day. We have a choice as to what that difference will be.”

Bonus: Dr. Goodall shares her greatest reason for hope, and explains why pigs enjoy painting. Yes, you read that right.

The B-Well Together series is part of a larger Leading Through Change initiative, providing thought leadership, tips, and resources to help business leaders manage through crises. Check out some of our most recent articles: