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Earth might be facing challenges, but there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate individuals to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the very special bond she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines collective action.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the entire manner that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to follow her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern currently was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming contested where political interests is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, citing the work of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the next generation get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”