🔗 Share this article

Earth could be under strain, however a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in honour of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think due to the unique bond she shared with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright therefore we must commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today involves the spread of false information. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that the medal will inspire action. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”