🔗 Share this article

Our planet could be under strain, but there is hope. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

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

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the very special relationship she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must begin to reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform the way we treat fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

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

“It has become apparent that truth has become a matter of debate 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 by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about motivating others to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, helps young people get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”