The Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall to Celebrate Those Striving to Better the World.

Our planet is facing challenges, yet there is hope. A novel accolade from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate the public to make a difference.

The medal is to be awarded in honour of the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. And I think due to the very special relationship she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this undermines collective action.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to commence reconsidering, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

A pressing concern currently was highlighted of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth is becoming contested when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on motivating others to get involved and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the initiatives of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”