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Earth could be under pressure, however optimism persists. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements 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 to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the close relationship she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it is difficult to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good which means we need to really start reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today involves the spread of false information. The central topic of the upcoming festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor can motivate action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute which, among its other activities, empowers young people get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”