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The world is under strain, yet there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will encourage individuals to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who protect the natural world.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

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

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming contested where political interests is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal will spur positive change. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, assists the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”