🔗 Share this article

Our planet is under strain, but there is hope. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who advocate for life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the unique relationship she shared with us.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents a war on science. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

A pressing concern currently involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will spur positive change. “It’s about motivating others to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”