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Our planet might be facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will motivate the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It will recognise those who champion life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

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

“This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to commence reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

Another key issue at present was highlighted of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, assists the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”