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Our planet could be under strain, but optimism persists. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to act.

The medal will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the close connection she shared with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created 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 stated, “Honestly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must begin to reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat the natural world.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth has become contested when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will spur action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”