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Our planet could be under pressure, however optimism persists. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate the public to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close bond she shared with us.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to begin to reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted it was a good time to emulate Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern at present is the proliferation of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will spur action. “It’s about encouraging people to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, people are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the work of an institute which, among its other activities, helps the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”