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Earth might be under pressure, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to inspire individuals to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely because of the close connection she shared with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to really start thinking again, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change how we regard wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about inspiring individuals to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, helps the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”