🔗 Share this article

Our planet is under pressure, however there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate individuals to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the unique bond she had with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to begin to reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today was highlighted of false information. The focus of the upcoming festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become a matter of debate where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor will inspire positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humanity can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, assists young people get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”