🔗 Share this article

The world could be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to motivate individuals to make a difference.

The medal is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the unique bond she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

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

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to begin to thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to emulate Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that this honor can motivate positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, assists the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”