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Earth might be under pressure, however optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate individuals to act.

The medal will honor in honour of the esteemed British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who champion the natural world.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the close bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to really start reconsidering, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently was highlighted of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the work of an institute that, in addition to its projects, helps young people 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. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”