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The world might be under pressure, but there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage people to make a difference.

The medal will be given in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the unique connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to really start thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern currently is the proliferation of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become contested when politics are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that this honor will inspire positive change. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the initiatives of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”