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

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in honour of the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise those who advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate 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 with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the close relationship she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Honestly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation represents a war on science. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good so we have to begin to thinking again, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested when politics is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, empowers the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”