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Our planet could be under strain, but there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire individuals to act.

The medal will honor to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

Award Details

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the close relationship she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

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

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines collective action.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to begin to reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, but also the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with the other animals around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of false information. The theme of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that this honor will spur positive change. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”