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Earth might be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the close connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance globally represents a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good therefore we must begin to reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted this is a good time to honor her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern currently was highlighted of false information. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested when politics is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to care and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the work of an institute which, among its other activities, helps young people get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, 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 the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”