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Our planet is facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will inspire people to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The concept behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the very special relationship she had with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Honestly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright therefore we must really start reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe this is a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic currently was highlighted of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a matter of debate when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal will inspire action. “It focuses on encouraging people to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the programs of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”