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Earth might be under strain, yet a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to inspire people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close relationship she shared with us.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good so we have to begin to reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming contested when politics is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, highlighting the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”