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Earth could be facing challenges, but optimism persists. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate 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 seeks to acknowledge those who champion the natural world.

Award Details

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the close connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears very good therefore we must really start reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to emulate Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue today was highlighted of misinformation. The focus of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that the medal will inspire positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed optimism that “given direction and when empowered, people can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the programs of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”