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Earth could be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire people to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise those who advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. And I think because of the unique connection she had with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

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

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good which means we need to really start reconsidering, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat the other animals around us.”

A major topic currently involves the spread of disinformation. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal will spur action. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on working the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”