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Earth might be under strain, yet there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in memory of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. And I think because of the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely have multiple categories.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must really start reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to emulate Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present is the proliferation of false information. The focus of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become a matter of debate when politics are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to get involved and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humanity can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the work of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers young people become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”