🔗 Share this article

Our planet could be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate the public to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must really start reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not only climate change, but also the entire manner that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is motivating others to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”