🔗 Share this article

Earth is facing challenges, yet there is hope. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate individuals to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the close connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally represents a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to really start reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe this is a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with 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 will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal can motivate action. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the programs of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”