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Earth is under pressure, however a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire the public to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the close connection she shared with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

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 for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must begin to thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe this is a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”