🔗 Share this article

Our planet might be facing challenges, however optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who protect life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the unique relationship she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Certain policies in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to commence reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue currently was highlighted of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor will inspire positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at doing the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”