🔗 Share this article

Our planet could be under pressure, yet optimism persists. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival Starmus will inspire people to act.

The medal will honor in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

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

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely because of the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation really cripples collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to really start reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, observers believe this is a good time to follow her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change how we regard the other animals around us.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of false information. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal can motivate positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the work of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact 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 give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”