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Earth is facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the close bond she shared with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice said, “Honestly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to really start reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”