🔗 Share this article

Earth could be under pressure, but there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival Starmus will encourage people to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She said she would like for this to occur. This is likely because of the unique relationship she had with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good so we have to commence reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with wildlife around us.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of disinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become contested when politics is involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed hope that “given direction and when empowered, humanity can be diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”