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Our planet could be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage individuals to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the close relationship she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must commence thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue at present is the proliferation of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor can motivate action. “It’s about inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, empowers the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”