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Our planet might be under pressure, however optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor to pay tribute to the esteemed British primatologist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

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

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think because of the very special bond she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it is difficult to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to commence thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, observers believe this is a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that the medal will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving toward success.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, helps the youth get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about constructive efforts that people are making.”