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The world could be under strain, however a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to encourage the public 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 recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. And I think because of the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories.

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

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines collective action.”

“Realistically, the situation appears very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern currently involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”