🔗 Share this article

The world is facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will encourage the public to act.

The medal will honor to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

It was shared that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the close relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples collective action.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good so we have to really start reconsidering, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change our relationship with the other animals around us.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of false information. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that the medal will spur positive change. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”