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The world is under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the very special bond she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, things don’t look particularly bright which means we need to begin to reconsidering, with greater urgency regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe it was an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern currently involves the spread of false information. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is motivating others to participate and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”