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The world could be under strain, yet there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival Starmus seeks to encourage individuals to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in honour of the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for life on Earth.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The vision behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely because of the unique connection she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must commence thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted it was a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a matter of debate where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The goal is that this honor will inspire action. “It’s about encouraging people to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, empowers the next generation become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”