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Our planet might be facing challenges, yet optimism persists. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to inspire people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise those who champion 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 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think due to the very special bond she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally represents an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good which means we need to commence reconsidering, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic today is the proliferation of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal will inspire positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”