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The world could be under pressure, but there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire individuals to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the celebrated British primatologist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The inaugural winners will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the close bond she had with us.”

“This medal aims to highlight enduring projects undertaken to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival stated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that award.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “Honestly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers collective action.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good so we have to really start reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not only global warming, but also the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

A Call to Action

Consequently, it was noted this is a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present involves the spread of disinformation. The central topic of the upcoming festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that the medal will spur action. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must focus on working the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, assists young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”