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The world might be under pressure, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to inspire individuals to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor to pay tribute to the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement 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 member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the unique relationship she had with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “Frankly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must commence reconsidering, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change our relationship with wildlife around us.”

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

“It has become apparent that truth has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, assists the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”