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The world might be under strain, but there is hope. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will motivate individuals to take action.

The medal will be given in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the very special bond she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears very good therefore we must commence reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform the way we treat wildlife around us.”

A major topic at present is the proliferation of disinformation. The focus of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become a matter of debate where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that this honor will spur positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to get involved and to care and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers young people become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall 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,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”