A Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Honor Individuals Working to Improve the Planet.

Our planet could be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire the public to act.

The medal will be given in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the very special relationship she shared with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “Honestly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines collective action.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to commence reconsidering, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to change how we regard wildlife around us.”

Another key issue currently was highlighted of disinformation. The focus of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that this honor will spur action. “It’s about encouraging people to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, people can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often told everyone, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”