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Our planet might be under pressure, however there is hope. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to motivate individuals to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise those who advocate for life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the very special connection she shared with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today was highlighted of misinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal will spur positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed hope that “with guidance and when empowered, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers young people become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”