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Our planet might be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will encourage people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will honor to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. This is likely because of the very special relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

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

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good therefore we must commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe this is a good time to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife around us.”

A major topic today was highlighted of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth has become contested when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The science of climate remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that this honor will inspire positive change. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving toward success.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and when empowered, people are capable of being diligent stewards of Earth”, pointing to the work of an institute that, among its other activities, assists the youth get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about the positive actions currently in progress.”