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Our planet might be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will motivate the public to act.

The medal will honor in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise those who protect life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely because of the very special bond she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably have multiple categories.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “Honestly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to commence reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

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

“We realised that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, assists the youth get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”