🔗 Share this article

Our planet is facing challenges, however there is hope. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to encourage individuals to act.

The medal will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

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

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it is difficult to be optimistic. Certain policies globally represents a war on science. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good therefore we must really start reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today was highlighted of misinformation. The focus of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become contested when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that this honor can motivate positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the programs of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”