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Our planet could be facing challenges, but there is hope. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to inspire individuals to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. This is likely because of the close bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to begin to thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming contested when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that this honor will spur action. “It’s about motivating others to get involved and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, highlighting the work of an institute that, among its other activities, assists the youth get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”