The Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Honor Those Working to Improve the Planet.

The world is under strain, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the unique connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it is difficult to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation represents a war on science. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to begin to thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was a good time to honor her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present is the proliferation of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humanity can be diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”