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Earth might be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage people to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in honour of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

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

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the close relationship she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth is becoming contested when politics is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal will inspire positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”