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Earth could be facing challenges, but optimism persists. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the close relationship she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must really start reconsidering, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, but also the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, it was noted it was a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat wildlife around us.”

A major topic today involves the spread of disinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on motivating others to engage and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, helps the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”