Famed chimpanzee expert Dr Jane Goodall says people are too focussed on themselves, and not thinking about the next generation.
In an exclusive interview with The Project, she praised the younger generation for taking action against climate change. She also shared her frustration at US President Donald Trump.
Dr Goodall has a number of titles - Dame, Dr, scientist and activist. But she's most affectionately known as the Chimpanzee Lady, and for good reason.
Her groundbreaking work in the 1960s studying chimpanzees in Tanzania turned science on its head.
Dr Goodall told The Project's Jesse Mulligan Trump had done so much damage to the environment, due to his treatment of climate issues.
"But he's not alone - when you think that in the olden days the indigenous people, they used to make decisions in their lives, asking 'how will this affect future generations?'
"Today, it's 'how will it affect me now; the next political campaign, or the next shareholder meeting?'
"CEO's and Government leaders who have children say 'I love my children', but do you realise what you're doing to them?"
While she praised the younger generation for taking action against climate change, Dr Goodall hoped protesters would go a step further.
"I hope they do more than just march and take a day off school," she told The Project.
"It needs to be followed by taking action themselves. You can't point at a Government official and say 'you've got to do something' unless you too are doing something."
School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand announced on Wednesday more protests will be held across the country on May 24, which is the date of the next global school strike.
Newshub.
