🔗 Share this article

The world could be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire people to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the close bond she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents a war on science. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good which means we need to commence reconsidering, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat the other animals around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will inspire action. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, highlighting the programs of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, helps young people get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”