🔗 Share this article

Earth is under strain, but there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to inspire the public to make a difference.

The medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the very special connection she had with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Present governance globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must really start reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that the medal can motivate positive change. “It’s about encouraging people to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at working the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, people are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about constructive efforts that people are making.”