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The world could be facing challenges, however optimism persists. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage the public to take action.

The medal will honor in honour of the renowned scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise those who champion the natural world.

Award Details

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think because of the close connection she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure said, “Frankly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good which means we need to really start reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

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

“It has become apparent that truth has become a matter of debate where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “The purpose is motivating others to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation which, in addition to its projects, assists young people get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”