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Earth might be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus will encourage the public to make a difference.

The medal will be given to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Award Details

The first recipients will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the unique relationship she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “To be truthful, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good which means we need to commence reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present is the proliferation of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor will spur positive change. “It’s about motivating others to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, people can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”