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Earth is under pressure, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to inspire individuals to make a difference.

The medal will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

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

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the unique connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to begin to reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on 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 today was highlighted of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that the medal will inspire action. “It focuses on motivating others to get involved and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, humanity can be diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the youth get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”