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Our planet is under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate the public to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the very special relationship she shared with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally represents a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to begin to reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of false information. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to care and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, assists young people become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”