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Our planet might be under pressure, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus will motivate individuals to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. This is likely because of the unique connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

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

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Honestly, it is difficult to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to really start thinking again, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to care and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, people can be diligent stewards of our planet”, citing the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about constructive efforts currently in progress.”