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Earth is under strain, however there is hope. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate people to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the very special bond she had with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

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

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Certain policies globally represents a war on science. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good which means we need to begin to reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently is the proliferation of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become a subject of discussion when politics is involved. And it’s 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 is that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared hope that “with guidance and when empowered, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, assists the next generation become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”