🔗 Share this article

Our planet is under strain, yet a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate the public to make a difference.

The medal will be given to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the close bond she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright which means we need to begin to thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe this is a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become a matter of debate when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to show concern and to work toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”