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Earth might be under pressure, yet optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will motivate people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the close bond she had with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

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

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to begin to thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue at present was highlighted of disinformation. The focus of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor can motivate action. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, citing the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the youth get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”