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Earth could be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire the public to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must begin to thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just 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 honor her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal remains that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “It’s about inspiring individuals to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the programs of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, helps young people get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”