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Our planet is under strain, but optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage the public to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

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

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close relationship she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good so we have to commence reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted this is a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present involves the spread of false information. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to work toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving toward success.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, helps young people get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”