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Earth is facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to motivate the public to act.

The medal is to be awarded in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely due to the unique connection she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Present governance globally represents a war on science. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must begin to reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted this is a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present involves the spread of false information. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a subject of discussion when politics are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on motivating others to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding the positive actions that people are making.”