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Our planet is facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to motivate the public to make a difference.

The medal will be given in memory of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the unique bond she shared with us.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it is difficult to be optimistic. The current political climate globally represents a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to commence reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife around us.”

Another key issue currently involves the spread of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a subject of discussion when politics is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the work of an institute which, in addition to its projects, assists the next generation get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that people are making.”