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Our planet could be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion the natural world.

Award Details

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

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the very special connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears very good which means we need to really start thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe this is a good time to follow her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic currently was highlighted of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the youth get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about the positive actions currently in progress.”