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The world might be under pressure, however optimism persists. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire people to act.

The medal will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise those who protect the natural world.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the very special connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation represents a war on science. So this undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must really start reconsidering, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change our relationship with the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”