🔗 Share this article

The world might be facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to encourage people to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise those who champion the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the unique connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the situation appears very good which means we need to commence reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, but also the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change our relationship with wildlife around us.”

Another key issue today was highlighted of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will spur action. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the programs of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, assists the youth get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”