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Earth might be under pressure, however a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate those who champion the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept 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 connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure said, “Honestly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“In truth, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to really start thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present is the proliferation of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”