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The world is facing challenges, however there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to motivate people to take action.

The medal will honor in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the close relationship she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

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

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure said, “Honestly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Certain policies in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change the way we treat wildlife around us.”

A major topic today involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that this honor will spur positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, assists young people get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”