🔗 Share this article

The world might be facing challenges, yet optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire the public to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

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

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the close bond she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting a war on science. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to begin to reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

Consequently, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat wildlife around us.”

A major topic at present was highlighted of false information. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a matter of debate when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the work of an institute that, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”