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The world might be under pressure, yet there is hope. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to encourage people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special relationship she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

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

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must really start reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe this is a good time to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to change the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor will spur positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”