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Our planet might be under pressure, yet there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage individuals to act.

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

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think due to the very special bond she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines collective action.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright therefore we must commence reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change how we regard wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern at present is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that this honor will inspire positive change. “The purpose is motivating others to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists young people get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”