A Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall to Recognise Individuals Striving to Better the Planet.

Earth could be facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think because of the very special relationship she shared with us.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents a war on science. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted this is a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today is the proliferation of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth is becoming contested where political interests are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will inspire action. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the programs of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”