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Earth might be facing challenges, but there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival Starmus will motivate individuals to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

Initial honorees are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the unique bond she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents a war on science. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to really start reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform the way we treat the other animals around us.”

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

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that the medal will spur concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the programs of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often emphasized, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”