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Earth could be under pressure, but optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival Starmus seeks to inspire the public to act.

The medal will honor in honour of the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the very special bond she shared with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good therefore we must begin to thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the entire manner that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted this is a good time to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic currently was highlighted of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “It’s about inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts that people are making.”