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The world could be facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate individuals to take action.

The medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

Award Details

The first recipients are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the very special bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes carried out to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that award.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Honestly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. Present governance in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this undermines global initiatives.”

“Realistically, things don’t look very good so we have to begin to reflecting, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe this is a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue at present is the proliferation of misinformation. The theme of the upcoming festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal remains that the medal will spur positive change. “It’s about motivating others to participate and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared optimism that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, citing the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the next generation become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about constructive efforts currently in progress.”