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Earth is under strain, but a sense of hope remains. A new award from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate individuals to act.

The medal will be given in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who champion life on Earth.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the very special connection she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to create a planet a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must commence thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only global warming, but also the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, it was noted it was a good time to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change the way we treat the other animals around us.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of false information. The focus of the upcoming festival will be “the search for truth”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become a matter of debate where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that the medal will spur positive change. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the work of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, assists the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother often reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”