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The world might be facing challenges, however optimism persists. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate people to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement 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 award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the very special bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally represents a war on science. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to commence reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife around us.”

Another key issue at present was highlighted of misinformation. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is motivating others to get involved and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, citing the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often told everyone, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”