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Our planet is under pressure, yet a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the close connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

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

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure remarked, “Honestly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to commence reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to honor her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that this honor will inspire positive change. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to work toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, assists the youth get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”