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Our planet could be facing challenges, however there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage people to make a difference.

The medal is to be awarded in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this medal, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely due to the close bond she had with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “Honestly, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to commence reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat nature.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe 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 of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to change our relationship with wildlife around us.”

A major topic currently was highlighted of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a subject of discussion where political interests is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope is that the medal can motivate action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, empowers the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often told everyone, the choices we make each day are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”