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Our planet could be facing challenges, yet optimism persists. A new award from the science, music and arts festival Starmus will encourage individuals to make a difference.

The medal will honor in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Award Details

The first recipients are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the close bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival 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 exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to really start reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today was highlighted of false information. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming contested where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that this honor will inspire positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to get involved and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, 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 choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”