🔗 Share this article

Our planet is under strain, yet a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It will recognise those who protect life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the close relationship she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance globally represents a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good which means we need to really start reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal will inspire positive change. “The purpose is motivating others to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers young people get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”