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The world is facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire individuals to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Award Details

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The concept behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the unique connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to really start reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become a matter of debate when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is motivating others to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the youth get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”