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Earth is facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in honour of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the very special relationship she had with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Honestly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was a good time to emulate Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that this honor can motivate positive change. “The purpose is motivating others to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the programs of an institute which, in addition to its projects, helps the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”