A Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Honor Those Acting to Improve the World.

The world is under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award from the science, music and arts festival Starmus will motivate individuals to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the unique connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Present governance globally represents a war on science. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to commence thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

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

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor will spur action. “It focuses on encouraging people to get involved and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on working the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared hope that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about the positive actions currently in progress.”