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Our planet is under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary 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 died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Award Details

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

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the close bond she shared with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

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

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to begin to reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

A pressing concern at present was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that this honor will inspire action. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at working the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, assists the next generation get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”