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The world might be facing challenges, but there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire individuals to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in honour of the renowned British primatologist who passed away recently. It will recognise those who protect the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

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

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the very special connection she had with us.”

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

Format and Inspiration

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

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Honestly, it's challenging to be optimistic. The current political climate globally is conducting a war on science. So this really cripples collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must really start reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today is the proliferation of disinformation. The focus of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must focus on working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, assists young people get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”