The Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Honor Those Acting to Better the World.

Our planet might be under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the unique connection she had with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright therefore we must really start thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic currently was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal will spur action. “It’s about inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers young people become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”