Jane Goodall Explains Why She Stopped Eating Meat Over Six Decades Ago
In a recent short video titled “Jane Goodall Explains Why She Hasn’t Eaten Meat in Over Six Decades” from the Climate One channel, the world-renowned primatologist and environmentalist Jane Goodall opened up about the reasons behind her lifelong decision to give up meat.
Goodall revealed that her journey toward vegetarianism began after she learned about the harsh realities of industrial animal farming. She described how the meat on her plate came to represent fear, pain, and death — emotions she could no longer ignore.
Beyond animal welfare, Goodall highlighted the devastating environmental impact of meat production. As nations grow wealthier, she observed, meat consumption rises, turning it into a symbol of social status. However, this demand has come at a heavy cost: billions of animals enduring poor living conditions, rainforests being destroyed to make room for feed crops, and massive amounts of fossil fuels burned to transport livestock and meat around the world.
Goodall also pointed out that the process of turning plant protein into animal protein wastes staggering quantities of water and energy — resources the planet can no longer afford to lose.
Her message, while gentle and reflective, carries a powerful call for awareness: that choosing compassion on our plates can also mean choosing sustainability for our planet.
