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Earth is under strain, yet there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will encourage the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who champion life on Earth.

Award Details

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

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the unique bond she had with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Honestly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples collective action.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to commence reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just global warming, but also the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted it was a good time to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that truth is becoming contested when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal will inspire action. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humanity can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the work of an institute which, among its other activities, assists the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and increase understanding about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”