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Our planet is under strain, however there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will inspire people to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

Award Details

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

According to statements that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the unique bond she had with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally is conducting a war on science. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to commence thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted this is a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present was highlighted of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that this honor can motivate action. “It focuses on encouraging people to get involved and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work toward success.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation that, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”