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The world might be under strain, but there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate individuals to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect life on Earth.

Award Details

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

It was shared that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think because of the very special relationship she shared with us.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

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

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to really start reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted it was a good time to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently is the proliferation of false information. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that people are making.”