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Our planet is under pressure, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

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

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the close connection she had with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must commence reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of disinformation. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor will inspire positive change. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that people are making.”