A Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall Will Honor Those Striving to Improve the World.

Our planet could be under strain, however there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to motivate the public to take action.

The medal will honor in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate those who champion the natural world.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the close bond she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to begin to thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, observers believe this is a good time to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of false information. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to get involved and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, empowers the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding the positive actions that people are making.”