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The world is under strain, yet a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will encourage individuals to act.

The medal will honor in honour of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed 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. And I think because of the close bond she had with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to begin to reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal will spur action. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the work of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, assists young people get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts that people are making.”