The Different Leadership Styles of Two Iconic Activists

delilahhemstreet
Nov 12, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Mar 1, 2023

Jane Goodall and Greta Thunberg, both very well known environmental activists, have taken

different approaches when it comes to saving our planet. Both activists speak to large crowds and world leaders and are both effective in communicating an important message. It is hard to compare such powerful, yet different people, but when talking about the effectiveness of their different approaches and the way they handle the stresses of climate change, it is important to look deeper.

Jane Goodall went to Tanzania in 1960, to immerse herself in nature amongst the chimpanzees. She stayed there on and off for over 60 years, studying the origin of monkeys and their tendencies. “The more I learned (about the chimps), the more I realized how like us they were,” Jane Goodall said. “To me, cruelty is the worst of human sins. Once we accept that a living creature has feelings and suffers pain, then by knowingly and deliberately inflicting suffering on that creature, we are guilty, whether it be human or animal.” Jane Goodall's statements are powerful, but her delivery is gentle. She is soft-spoken. She is the kind of leader who can persuade people to take action without being pushy. She has shown the importance of protecting at-risk species and made it her mission in life to speak for the natural world. She paved the way for many female scientists and activists, too. She is an example of what one person can accomplish with passion and dedication. She started the Jane Goodall Institute. Its purpose is to inspire people worldwide to conserve our natural resources, and to be hands on within their communities. She also founded Roots and Shoots whose mission is "to empower young people to affect positive change in their communities." Goodall places hope in young people. “My mission is to create a world where we can live in harmony with nature," Goodall says. "And can I do that alone? No. So there is a whole army of youth that can do it. So I suppose my mission is to reach as many of those young people as I can through my own efforts.” Jane Goodall is a UN Messenger of Peace, and has been awarded numerous accolades for her work, including an honorary degree from the University of Cambridge. Goodall's overall message to the world is simple, yet profound. "Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.”

Greta Thunberg is a very vocal climate activist. She tells it like it is, and does not hold back her frustration. Too often the reality is sugar coated, which discourages people from taking immediate action. Thunberg does not sugar coat anything. She started her activism by skipping school every Friday and standing outside the Swedish Parliament to protest against climate change inaction. Soon, others joined her, and it motivated the Swedish government to adopt policies to reduce emissions. She gained global recognition, organized a "School Strike for Climate," and started a foundation called Fridays for Future, whose mission is "to put moral pressure on policymakers, to make them listen to the scientists, and then to take forceful action to limit global warming." The strike caught on and spread around the world, resulting in millions of students walking out of school to show how desperate young people are to protect their future and the future for generations to come. "Build back better. Blah, blah, blah," Thunberg said. "Green economy. Blah blah blah. Net zero by 2050. Blah, blah, blah. This is all we hear from our so-called leaders. Words that sound great, but so far have not led to action. Our hopes and ambitions drown in their empty promises.” This is an example of Greta's straight forward approach. She doesn't ask, she demands action. She believes that adults shouldn't be completely reliant on this new generation, but should take action themselves, now! “You are failing us," she said, "but the young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say: We will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up. And change is coming, whether you like it or not.” Those are powerful words, and it is this kind of talk that has gained her a global following. Some criticize her for being too harsh, but Thunberg won't back down because she is fighting for the most important thing of all, the survival of our planet. In her own words, “People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” At the recent Youth4Climate conference in Milan, Italy, Thunberg talked of hope. "Hope is telling the truth," she said. "Hope is taking action. And hope always comes from the people.”

While Jane Goodall and Greta Thunberg have completely different ways of influencing people and making a positive impact on the planet, each is equally valuable in the fight for a sustainable world, and a cleaner, greener future. It is important to learn from people who take different approaches to the same issue, figure out what approach is best for you, and decide what role you can play in saving our planet. Because we all have a role. Everyone single one of us.

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