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Our planet is facing challenges, however optimism persists. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to inspire individuals to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think because of the very special relationship she had with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

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

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to really start reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern currently is the proliferation of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal will spur action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the work of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”