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Our planet might be under pressure, yet there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate the public to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

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.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the close relationship she had with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be very much similar to 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 said, “To be truthful, it is difficult to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must commence thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to honor her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

A pressing concern today was highlighted of false information. 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 a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will spur action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the initiatives of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, assists the next generation become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, our daily actions make a difference 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 raise awareness about the positive actions currently in progress.”