The Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Celebrate Those Working to Better the Planet.

Earth could be under strain, but optimism persists. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will inspire the public to make a difference.

The medal will be given in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think because of the very special connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

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

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears very good therefore we must really start reconsidering, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe this is a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently involves the spread of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become contested when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed hope that “with guidance and once enabled, people can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers the next generation get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”