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Our planet could be under strain, yet there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will 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 died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

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

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like this to happen. And I think because of the close relationship she had with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure stated, “Frankly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good which means we need to begin to reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, observers believe this is an opportune moment to honor her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern at present involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming contested when politics is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal will inspire action. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at working the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the initiatives of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, assists the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”