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Earth might be under pressure, however there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect the natural world.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close bond she had with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, one figure said, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Certain policies globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears very good therefore we must begin to thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe this is a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present was highlighted of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“It has become apparent that truth is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that the medal will spur concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the work of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers young people get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that people are making.”