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The world might be facing challenges, but there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus seeks to encourage the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise those who advocate for life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. This is likely because of the very special connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

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

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to begin to thinking again, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted this is a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a matter of debate when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “It’s about motivating others to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, assists the youth get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”