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

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the unique bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure said, “Honestly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally represents an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to begin to thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will inspire action. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the work of an institute which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”