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Our planet might be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate people to make a difference.

The medal will honor in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate those who protect life on Earth.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival 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 backed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the very special relationship she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

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

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright which means we need to begin to reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted this is a good time to honor her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform how we regard the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern at present was highlighted of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal will inspire positive change. “It’s about motivating others to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that people are making.”