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The world could be under pressure, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire the public to take action.

The medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the esteemed British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

Award Details

The first recipients are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the close connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “To be truthful, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”