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Our planet could be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect life on Earth.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the unique relationship she had with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

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

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, but also the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become contested when politics is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal will inspire positive change. “The purpose is motivating others to engage and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, highlighting the initiatives of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”