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Earth could be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to inspire individuals to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise those who protect life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close bond she had with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

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

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “To be truthful, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must begin to reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to honor her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern at present is the proliferation of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become a matter of debate when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, in addition to its projects, assists the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”