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Our planet is facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to motivate people to act.

The medal will honor in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who champion the natural world.

Award Details

Initial honorees will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the close relationship she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good which means we need to commence reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife around us.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that this honor can motivate positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the programs of an institute which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about constructive efforts that people are making.”