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Earth could be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate people to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the unique bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice said, “Honestly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance globally is conducting a war on science. This situation undermines global initiatives.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good which means we need to really start reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed 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 with which we share the planet.”

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

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to get involved and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the youth get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about the positive actions currently in progress.”