🔗 Share this article

Our planet might be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to inspire the public to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who protect the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are expected to be announced 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 Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the unique connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents a war on science. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“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, but also the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become contested when politics is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that this honor can motivate action. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, people can be diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day have an impact 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 about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”