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Earth is facing challenges, yet optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus aims to motivate the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the unique bond she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must begin to reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, but also the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted this is a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

Another key issue currently is the proliferation of false information. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth has become a matter of debate when politics are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that this honor can motivate action. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”