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

The world might be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus will encourage people to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

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

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

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good so we have to begin to thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe this is 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 of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present was highlighted of disinformation. The focus of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are 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 this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor can motivate action. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed hope that “given direction and when empowered, humanity can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, citing the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, assists young people become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”