🔗 Share this article

Our planet might be facing challenges, however optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the unique connection she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this really cripples collective action.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good which means we need to commence reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of false information. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that this honor can motivate positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”