PRINCE HARRY MEETS DR. GOODALL AND ROOTS & SHOOTS CHANGE-MAKERS
BY ASHLEY SULLIVAN ON JULY 24, 2019
In a royally excellent meeting of compassionate leaders, Prince Harry and Dr. Jane Goodall came together along with 26 young Roots & Shoots representatives from around the world for the Global Summit at Windsor Castle! The event included a speech from Prince Harry, a showcase of Roots & Shoots projects, brainstorming for current and future collaborations, and a thinktank on how to make the world a better place, today.
The Roots & Shoots model is all about how each and every one of us can make a difference every single day. The 26 representatives from all around the world are responsible for projects that bring that model to life – creating solutions to problems in their communities. From creating campaigns to support ocean conservation, to solving local homelessness, to reducing unsustainable palm oil in everyday products, the Roots & Shoots leaders at this summit blew Prince Harry and Dr. Goodall away.
Memorable Quotes from the Event:
“I also agree that young people have the power, the compassion and the tools to save our planet. I hope you all know what a big job we have to do. I say we – I still include myself in this.
Just as Jane has a legacy, and I have a legacy – you have a legacy too. As leaders in your communities striving to making a positive impact, you have a responsibility to set an example with the choices you make, not only in your work but in your personal life too – others will follow, perhaps they already do.
This is why the Roots and Shoots programme is so inspiring.
When I heard that all of you here today are part of a network of more than 150,000 Roots and Shoots groups representing almost 60 countries now -it’s easy to see the potential you all have to make a massive impact in the places you live and together reaching right around the world. As we all now know, in the world we live in today, we’ve polluted the air and oceans, flattened rainforests, and burned through the world’s resources.
96 percent of ALL mammals on earth are either livestock or humans. That means just 4 percent of the animals on this planet are wild.
Whether it be habitat encroachment, huge bush fires, or dangerous levels of carbon emissions — we have contributed to the problem, and now we need to be the ones to create the solutions.
The good news is that young people like you don’t need to be convinced that we must urgently intervene; you are actively doing this every single day, and your dedication to effecting change is outstanding.
“I truly believe that the heart of conservation and sustainability is about people.”
“Just as Jane has a legacy, and I have a legacy – you have a legacy too.”
“As leaders in your communities striving to making a positive impact, you have a responsibility to set an example with the choices you make, not only in your work but in your personal life too – others will follow, perhaps they already do.”
Get Involved
Prince Harry is definitely on board with Roots & Shoots, and Dr. Goodall started the whole thing, so what are you waiting for? Right now, while we observe terrible tragedies and challenges around the world, we also know that with all of our passion, brains and hearts working to make things better, we can make a tremendous difference.