🔗 Share this article

Earth is facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in honour of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the close connection she had with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

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

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this really cripples collective action.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good therefore we must begin to reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor will spur action. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must continue striving toward success.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, people can be diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers young people become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about the positive actions currently in progress.”