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Our planet might be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage people to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who protect life on Earth.

Award Details

Initial honorees are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the close bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

Another key issue at present is the proliferation of false information. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that this honor can motivate positive change. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and when empowered, humans can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers the youth get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts that people are making.”