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The world is under strain, but there is hope. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival Starmus will encourage people to act.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

According to statements that Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the very special connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “To be truthful, it's challenging to be optimistic. The current political climate globally represents a war on science. So this really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright which means we need to commence reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with the natural world.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife around us.”

Another key issue currently involves the spread of false information. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal will spur action. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to get involved and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on doing the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving toward success.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that people are making.”