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The world is facing challenges, but there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate individuals to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It will recognise those who champion the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “Honestly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must commence thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal will spur action. “It’s about inspiring individuals to participate and to show concern and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with 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 increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”