🔗 Share this article

Our planet might be under pressure, however optimism persists. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage individuals to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the unique connection she shared with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation represents a war on science. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted this is a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change the way we treat the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern at present was highlighted of disinformation. The focus of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that this honor will spur positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”