The Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall Will Recognise Those Acting to Improve the World.
Our planet is under strain, but there is hope. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will encourage individuals to take action.
The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.
The Medal's Framework
The inaugural winners 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.
According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the close connection she shared with us.”
“This medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.
Format and Inspiration
A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.
“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.
Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”
“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to really start reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, but also the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”
A Call to Action
Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”
A pressing concern currently is the proliferation of disinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.
“We realised that factual reality is becoming contested where political interests is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”
Optimism and Resolve
The goal remains that the medal will spur action. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”
A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humanity can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers young people become engaged with their community, wildlife, and environment.
“As my late grandmother often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”