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Earth might be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus will motivate individuals to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the very special relationship she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “Honestly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to begin to reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern currently involves the spread of misinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal will inspire action. “The purpose is motivating others to participate and to care and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, our daily actions are significant 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 provide inspiration and increase understanding about the positive actions currently in progress.”