A Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall to Celebrate Those Working to Improve the Planet.

The world could be facing challenges, but there is hope. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage individuals to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the unique relationship she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally represents a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples collective action.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright therefore we must begin to reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat the other animals around us.”

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

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will spur positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to care and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humanity can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers the next generation get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about the positive actions currently in progress.”