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Our planet is under pressure, yet there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to act.

The medal will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the unique connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't very good so we have to really start thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, but also the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of misinformation. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that the medal will spur action. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”