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Earth is facing challenges, but optimism persists. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus noted 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 for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “Honestly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to commence reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern at present was highlighted of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth is becoming a matter of debate when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal can motivate positive change. “It’s about motivating others to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the programs of an institute that, in addition to its projects, assists young people become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”