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Our planet might be under strain, but optimism persists. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

Award Details

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

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

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Honestly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to commence thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change our relationship with the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of false information. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a matter of debate when politics is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal will inspire positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the programs of an institute which, in addition to its projects, assists the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about the positive actions currently in progress.”