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Our planet might be facing challenges, but there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will inspire individuals to take action.

The medal will honor in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the unique connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to make our world improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

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

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents a war on science. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to really start thinking again, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic today was highlighted of false information. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested when politics is involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that the medal will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the work of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about constructive efforts currently in progress.”