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Earth is facing challenges, but optimism persists. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will encourage people to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

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

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this medal, 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 due to the very special bond she shared with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally is conducting a war on science. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears very good therefore we must really start thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, but also the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present is the proliferation of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal will inspire action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”