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The world could be facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage the public to act.

The medal will be given in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the close bond she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good which means we need to begin to reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Consequently, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of disinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that truth is becoming contested where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on motivating others to get involved and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, citing the work of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”