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The world might be under pressure, but optimism persists. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage individuals to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think due to the unique bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, but also the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of false information. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, empowers the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”