The Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Recognise Individuals Striving to Improve the Planet.

Earth could be under strain, however optimism persists. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus seeks to encourage the public to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

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.

According to statements that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the very special connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted this is a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of false information. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that this honor will inspire positive change. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”