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Our planet is under pressure, yet there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to inspire people to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure said, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good so we have to really start reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted this is a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, highlighting the programs of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists young people become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about constructive efforts that people are making.”