🔗 Share this article

The world might be under pressure, yet there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to encourage individuals to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise those who champion the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the unique bond she shared with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

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

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, things don’t look particularly bright which means we need to begin to reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted this is a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern at present was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming contested where political interests are 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 goal is that this honor will inspire positive change. “It’s about motivating others to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that people are making.”