A Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Honor Those Striving to Improve the World.

Our planet might be under pressure, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire people to make a difference.

The medal will be given in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must really start reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change the way we treat fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently was highlighted of false information. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will inspire positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of a foundation that, among its other activities, assists the youth get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference 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 give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”