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The world might be facing challenges, however optimism persists. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. And I think because of the close bond she shared with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic at present involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It’s about inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the work of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the youth become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”