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The world could be under strain, however there is hope. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate people to act.

The medal will be given in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect life on Earth.

Award Details

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

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. And I think because of the unique connection she shared with us.”

“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,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

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

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance globally represents a war on science. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must really start reconsidering, with greater urgency regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted this is a good time to honor her guiding principles. “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 transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today is the proliferation of false information. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will inspire positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute which, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”