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Our planet might be facing challenges, however there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to motivate people to take action.

The medal will honor to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who protect life on Earth.

Award Details

The first recipients will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special bond she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today is the proliferation of false information. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”