A Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Honor Those Working to Improve the Planet.

Earth might be under strain, but there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to act.

The medal will be given in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the unique connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good so we have to really start thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, but also the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform how we regard the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal will inspire action. “It focuses on encouraging people to get involved and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”