The Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall Will Recognise Those Working to Improve the World.

Earth is under pressure, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the unique relationship she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good therefore we must begin to reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “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 transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

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 factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about motivating others to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection shared optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, assists young people get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about constructive efforts currently in progress.”