A Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Recognise Individuals Acting to Better the Planet.

Earth is under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus will encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect life on Earth.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely because of the very special bond she shared with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence reconsidering, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to honor her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals 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 the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers young people become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”