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Earth is under pressure, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to act.

The medal will honor in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It will recognise those who advocate for life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the very special bond she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

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

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must really start reconsidering, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to honor Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic currently was highlighted of false information. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that this honor can motivate positive change. “It focuses on encouraging people to get involved and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute which, in addition to its projects, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that are being undertaken.”