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Earth could be under pressure, but there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will encourage people to take action.

The medal is to be awarded in honour of the esteemed British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise those who champion 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.

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the unique relationship she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good so we have to really start reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A major topic currently was highlighted of misinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“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,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”