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Our planet is under pressure, but there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage the public to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the very special connection she shared with us.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Honestly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to really start reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change the way we treat the other animals around us.”

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

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal can motivate action. “It’s about motivating others to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the programs of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, 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. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about constructive efforts that people are making.”