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Earth could be under pressure, but there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate people to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded to pay tribute to the esteemed British primatologist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed 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 for this to occur. And I think due to the very special connection she had with us.”

“This medal will acknowledge sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably have multiple categories.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation represents a dismissal of evidence. So this undermines the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright which means we need to really start reflecting, with greater urgency regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

Therefore, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her priority, to change how we regard fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

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

“It has become apparent that factual reality has become contested where political interests are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope remains that this honor will spur concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A family member involved in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the work of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, helps the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”