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Earth is under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire individuals to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate those who protect life on Earth.

Award Details

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

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close relationship she shared with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

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

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good which means we need to really start reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested where political interests is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, people can be diligent stewards of our planet”, citing the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often told everyone, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”