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Our planet might be under strain, but there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate people to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

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.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the unique relationship she shared with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to really start reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform the way we treat fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today was highlighted 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 is involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that the medal will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on motivating others to get involved and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and when empowered, people can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, assists young people get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”