The Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall to Celebrate Individuals Working to Improve the Planet.

Our planet might be facing challenges, but optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Award Details

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

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the very special connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation represents a war on science. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must really start reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted this is an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change our relationship with the other animals around us.”

A major topic at present was highlighted of false information. The focus of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that the medal will spur positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to get involved and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”