🔗 Share this article

The world is under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage people to take action.

The medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think because of the close connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on such efforts,” 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 modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted this is a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern currently is the proliferation of disinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”