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Our planet is under strain, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will encourage the public to take action.

The medal will honor to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She said she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the unique relationship she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good therefore we must begin to reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, observers believe it was an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “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 fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of false information. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal will spur action. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, people are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”