🔗 Share this article

Earth could be under pressure, but there is hope. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to inspire people to act.

The medal is to be awarded in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the very special relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good which means we need to really start reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change how we regard the other animals around us.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of false information. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that the medal will inspire action. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to care and to work in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers young people get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”