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Earth is facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to motivate the public to take action.

The medal is to be awarded in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think due to the close bond she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears particularly bright therefore we must really start thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

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

“There is a recognition that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that this honor can motivate positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, helps young people get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about the positive actions currently in progress.”