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Our planet might be under strain, but there is hope. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus will motivate the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

Award Details

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

It was shared that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the close bond she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate globally is conducting a war on science. So this really cripples collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright which means we need to commence thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present was highlighted of false information. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that the medal will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humanity can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the programs of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers young people get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”