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Our planet could be under pressure, yet there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate the public to take action.

The medal is to be awarded in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The concept behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the very special relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight enduring projects carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright therefore we must commence thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue currently is the proliferation of disinformation. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration is that the medal will spur positive change. “It’s about motivating others to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, pointing to the work of an institute which, in addition to its projects, empowers the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”