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The world is under pressure, but there is hope. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to make a difference.

The medal will honor in memory of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the unique relationship she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

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

“It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Honestly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation represents a war on science. So this really cripples collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to commence reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife around us.”

Another key issue at present involves the spread of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised that factual reality has become contested where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to participate and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if 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 toward success.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and when empowered, people can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, assists young people become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother often emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”