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The world is under strain, but there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage individuals to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The idea of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the close connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

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

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Present governance globally is conducting a war on science. This situation really cripples collective action.”

“In truth, things don’t look very good which means we need to commence thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that the medal will inspire positive change. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, assists the next generation become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”