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The world is facing challenges, but optimism persists. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage individuals to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

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

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think due to the close connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the situation appears very good which means we need to commence reconsidering, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with the natural world.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife around us.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that the medal can motivate positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to participate and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”