Jane Goodall’s Cause of Death Revealed – Vanity Fair

Report on the Legacy of Jane Goodall and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

Primatologist and environmental advocate Jane Goodall passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. The cause of death was confirmed as cardiac arrest. Goodall’s life and work left an indelible impact on conservation and activism. This report analyzes her legacy through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which her efforts significantly advanced.

Championing Life on Land (SDG 15)

Jane Goodall’s primary contribution was in the field of wildlife conservation, directly aligning with the objectives of SDG 15.

• Protecting Biodiversity: Her groundbreaking research with chimpanzees fundamentally changed humanity’s understanding of wildlife and the importance of protecting natural habitats.
• Halting Deforestation and Land Degradation: Through her global advocacy, she raised awareness about the threats to terrestrial ecosystems, inspiring action to protect forests and the species within them.
• Global Impact: Her work influenced generations of scientists, activists, and policymakers, creating a lasting movement dedicated to achieving the targets of SDG 15: Life on Land.

Advocacy for Sustainable Consumption and Climate Action (SDGs 12, 13, 2)

A core component of Goodall’s philosophy was her commitment to a plant-based diet, a personal choice that promoted several key SDGs.

1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Goodall’s refusal to eat meat was a direct protest against the environmental damage and ethical issues of factory farming. She championed a shift towards sustainable consumption patterns that minimize resource use and environmental degradation.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action: She frequently spoke about the significant contribution of the livestock industry to greenhouse gas emissions. Her advocacy for veganism served as a call for individual action to combat climate change and its impacts.
3. SDG 2: Zero Hunger: Goodall highlighted the inefficiency of using vast amounts of grain to feed farmed animals. She argued that these resources could be used more effectively to address global food security, a central goal of SDG 2.

Broader Contributions to Global Goals (SDGs 3, 4, 17)

Goodall’s influence extended beyond conservation to encompass health, education, and global cooperation.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By adopting a plant-based diet, she exemplified a lifestyle choice linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses, thereby promoting healthy living.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: As a global icon, she dedicated her life to educating the public about environmental stewardship and the interconnectedness of all living things, contributing to education for sustainable development.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The widespread tributes following her death from influential figures such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle demonstrate her success in building cross-sectoral partnerships to mobilize action for the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article connects Jane Goodall’s plant-based diet to health benefits, specifically mentioning a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and linking red meat consumption to premature death.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Goodall’s decision to adopt a vegan diet is presented as an ethical choice against “factory farming and the environmental damage it causes.” This directly addresses sustainable consumption patterns by choosing food sources with a lower environmental impact.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: As a renowned primatologist and a “greatest figure in environmental protection,” Jane Goodall’s life’s work is intrinsically linked to this goal. Her dietary choice was also an ethical one, based on her commitment to animal rights and her reflection that a pork chop “represents fear, pain, death,” which relates to the protection and welfare of terrestrial animals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article directly supports this by citing a Harvard study that found “cutting [red meat] out of one’s diet could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer,” which are major non-communicable diseases.
• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article implies this target when Goodall explains her veganism is “for the environment because of the amount of grain that is grown to feed animals that we breed to eat.” This highlights the inefficient use of resources (land, water, grain) in factory farming.
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. Jane Goodall’s entire career as a “pioneer in the study of chimpanzees” and a figure in “environmental protection” is dedicated to this target. Her work is synonymous with protecting species and their habitats.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease. The article implies this indicator by referencing the 2012 Harvard study that “found that consumption of red meat is statistically linked to premature death” and that changing one’s diet could “reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.”
• Implied Indicator for Target 12.2: Resource efficiency in food production. The article implies this through Goodall’s statement about “the amount of grain that is grown to feed animals.” This suggests that tracking the ratio of resources (like grain) used to produce animal-based versus plant-based foods can be a measure of progress.
• Implied Indicator for Target 15.5: Population trends of key species (e.g., Red List Index). While not explicitly stated with numbers, the article’s focus on Goodall as a “pioneer in the study of chimpanzees” implies that the status and population of chimpanzees and other great apes are key indicators of success in protecting biodiversity and preventing extinction.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vanityfair.com