🔗 Share this article

The world is under pressure, but optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will motivate individuals to act.

The medal is to be awarded in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

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

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the close relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably have multiple categories.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents a war on science. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good so we have to commence reconsidering, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, but also the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present is the proliferation of disinformation. The focus of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “The purpose is motivating others to engage and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, assists young people get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”