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Earth could be under strain, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will encourage the public to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the close bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

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

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Present governance globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good which means we need to really start reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming contested where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to get involved and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and when empowered, people can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly told everyone, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”