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Earth might be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the close relationship she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Certain policies in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to really start reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today was highlighted of false information. The central topic of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, people can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, assists the youth get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”