Brian May Honored with Jane Goodall Earth Medal at Starmus Festival

On the opening night of the eighth edition of the Starmus Festival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Brian May, co-founder of the festival and renowned astrophysicist, was honored with the inaugural Jane Goodall Earth Medal. May expressed his surprise at receiving the award, stating that he never thought he would be the first recipient. The ceremony also celebrated the Artemis II mission, with the crew receiving the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication.

The Jane Goodall Earth Medal honors leadership in environmental protection and biodiversity. May, who founded Save Me Trust with Anne Brummer, received the award, emphasizing the inspiration he draws from Jane Goodall’s work and the name of his organization's mission.

Also honored with the Jane Goodall Earth Medal was Christiana Figes, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. She included a primate sound in her speech in tribute to Goodall's influence. The Artemis II mission, preparing for the first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years, also received the Stephen Hawking Medal for their educational outreach.

The Starmus Festival continues to position Tenerife as a global hub for science, space exploration, and music. The festival's inclusion of such prestigious awards underscores the island's commitment to these fields.