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Our planet is under pressure, however there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to inspire people to take action.

The medal will be given in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. This is likely because of the close connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to really start thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to emulate Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present is the proliferation of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to participate and to show concern and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”