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Our planet could be facing challenges, but there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire the public to act.

The medal will be given in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the very special relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to really start reconsidering, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe it was an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate action. “It’s about motivating others to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and when empowered, people can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the programs of an institute that, in addition to its projects, helps young people become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about the positive actions that people are making.”