The Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall Will Honor Those Striving to Improve the Planet.

The world could be under strain, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to encourage individuals to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

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

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the unique connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival stated 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 medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Certain policies in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become contested when politics is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the next generation get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that people are making.”