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Our planet might be under pressure, but there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to inspire people to take action.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will be given in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth.

Award Details

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. And I think because of the close connection she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this really cripples collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good which means we need to begin to thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

Following an Example

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor her guiding principles. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to change the way we treat the other animals around us.”

Another key issue today was highlighted of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that this honor will spur positive change. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to work in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humanity can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps the next generation get involved locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”