A Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Celebrate Individuals Working to Better the Planet.

The world could be under pressure, but there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to inspire people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Award Details

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the very special bond she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good which means we need to really start reconsidering, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to honor her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today involves the spread of false information. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the programs of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, helps the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”