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Our planet is under pressure, but optimism persists. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus aims to inspire the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during 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 supported the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the very special connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Frankly, it is difficult to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must begin to thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe this is a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of false information. The focus of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will inspire concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on working the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the next generation get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”