We are not the only residents of earth

A week before passing away at 91 on Wednesday, primatologist Jane Goodall had been addressing top business leaders, recounting the story of her life and work. What sets humans apart, she had said, from other species is intellect. But intellect does not always translate into intelligence. The proof, she added, lies in destruction of the very nature that sustains us. Turning to CEOs, she noted that if they truly want their businesses to be sustainable, they'll need one sentient quality to stand up to their boards and shareholders: courage.

Courage was something Goodall had in abundance. Travelling from London to Tanzania in 1960 to study chimpanzees after an opportunity from Kenyan archaeologist-palaeontologist Louis Leakey arose, her discoveries revolutionised the field of animal cognition, revealing chimpanzees' complex emotional lives, problem-solving abilities and intricate social structures. These insights shattered human-centric notions of intelligence, underscored the urgency of respecting other species, and paved the way for long-term studies of animal cognition and behaviour. She essentially dealt a body blow to rampant speciesism. Today, scientists are rethinking conservation, urging policymakers to design strategies that recognise animals as sentient planners. In March, LSE opened a Centre for Animal Sentience to study animal behaviour and impact of human actions, aiming to develop better policies and laws for animal care.

Goodall, recognising that dwindling public funds threaten conservation efforts, was rallying corporates to step up for sustainability. Now, one of the natural world's biggest champions is gone. But her plea remains: true sustainability requires courage, thoughtful action, and stepping out of our acute anthropocentrism to respect all creatures we share the planet with.