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Earth is under pressure, yet a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to inspire people to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. This is likely because of the close connection she had with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

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

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to really start reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was a good time to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife around us.”

A major topic today is the proliferation of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate where political interests are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will inspire action. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving toward success.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”