The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jane addresses the reader from her home in Bournemouth, a year and a half after she and Doug started their book, which was greatly complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jane says that “those studying zoonotic disease” all predicted a similar pandemic, and she wishes people had listened to scientists who predicted such a disease “was inevitable if we continued to disrespect nature and disrespect animals” (226). Jane details how mistreatment of animals led to SARS, HIV-1, HIV-2, swine flu, E. coli, MRSA, and salmonella.

Jane also notes how during the COVID-19 lockdown, emissions decreased, and wild animals temporarily repopulated old habitats. It led to a “community spirit” in many countries both in person and online. Jane sees encouraging change in creating a better relationship between humans, animals, and the environment.

During the shutdown, Jane stays busy with virtual lectures, interviews, webinars, and podcasts. She misses seeing people in person but realizes how many more people she’s able to connect with online. Jane says we are fighting many “wars” with “microscopic enemies,” loss of biodiversity, climate change, and more (212). She hopes reading this book gives people