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Earth is under pressure, yet optimism persists. A novel accolade from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will inspire individuals to make a difference.

The medal will be given in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the very special relationship she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it is difficult to be optimistic. Certain policies globally is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation really cripples collective action.”

“To be honest, the situation appears very good therefore we must commence reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only climate change, but also the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to emulate Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today is the proliferation of misinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become a subject of discussion when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor can motivate positive change. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”