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Earth could be under pressure, yet there is hope. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate people to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in honour of the renowned British primatologist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special bond she shared with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions.

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

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the situation appears very good therefore we must commence reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, it was noted this is a good time to follow her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue today was highlighted of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on doing our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, assists young people become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly 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 this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding the positive actions that people are making.”