🔗 Share this article

The world is facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to inspire people to act.

The medal is to be awarded in honour of the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think due to the very special bond she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure stated, “Honestly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Present governance globally is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence reconsidering, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal will spur action. “It’s about encouraging people to get involved and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers young people get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”