A Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall to Honor Those Acting to Better the Planet.

Our planet could be under pressure, but optimism persists. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will encourage people to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the very special relationship she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good so we have to begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted this is a good time to emulate Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that truth is becoming contested where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”