A note from Cohab’s founder and Executive Director

Dublin, October 2025

For any individual or organisation who advocates for biodiversity, there are many people who one could point to as an inspiration, who’s work or words helped us to a different view of the world and a greater appreciation of its diversity and beauty. One of the greatest inspirations for the foundation of the Cohab Initiative was Dr. Jane Goodall.

Her passing last week will be felt as a loss by many millions of people worldwide who loved her for her wisdom, insight, kindness and compassion. For Cohab, for many involved in our work, and for me personally, it is a cause of immense sadness, but also a time to celebrate her impact and renew our efforts to build on her legacy.

Dr. Goodall’s appearances in National Geographic’s magazine and documentaries through the 1970s and 80s brimmed with insight and innovation, showing that the science of biology could reveal so much about the lives and behaviours of other species and about our own place within, and dependence upon, the natural world. It was the spark that lit a path to studying nature and it's links to our health and well-being. 

The word visionary truly applies to Jane Goodall. A world renowned anthropologist and primatologist, she was also fearless, and an incredibly strong, kind, caring, and profoundly thoughtful person, committed to building bridges and alliances for conservation. She was also, particularly in her later years, an important advocate for the vital role of indigenous peoples, youth, and local communities as stewards of biodiversity. The few times I was fortunate enough to hear her speak in person have had a lasting impact.

Many words will be written about her life and impact in the coming weeks and months ahead – the Jane Goodall Institute which she founded will certainly lead these tributes and will build in her life’s work and passionate advocacy. Her legacy will be the countless others who will be newly invigorated by her message, kindness and positivity, to continue to advocate for biodiversity and its importance to people and planet. At Cohab we remember in particular the following words she shared in a 2022 interview with Imagine 5 magazine:

We need interconnection between people in different disciplines. And we need to listen to their voices, which is where heart and head come in, because if you meet someone who disagrees with you – arguing, pointing fingers – it doesn’t get you anywhere…

Hope is connected to determination, and action. I’ve decided… that the human race is at the mouth of a long dark tunnel and right at the end of that tunnel is a little star of light and that’s hope. But we don’t just sit at the mouth of the tunnel and hope that that star will come to illuminate us… we’ve all got to get together and take action.

So many people have said to me, ‘It doesn’t make any difference what I do.’ It doesn’t if it’s just you. But it’s not just you.

We will remember her fondly in everything we do.

Conor Kretsch

Executive Director, Cohab Initiative Secretariat

Please support the work of the Jane Goodall Institute. Dr. Goodall’s 2021 book, The Book of Hope – a Survival Guide for Trying Times, with Doug Abrams, is available from the Institute’s online store.