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The world might be facing challenges, but there is hope. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to motivate individuals to make a difference.

The medal will honor in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who protect the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

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

It was shared 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 statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the close relationship she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

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

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Present governance globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers collective action.”

“To be honest, things don’t look very good so we have to commence thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.”

Following an Example

As a result, observers believe it was a good time to honor her guiding principles. “I think that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern currently involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a subject of discussion when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that the medal will spur concrete steps. “It’s about encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at working the best we can,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the work of an institute that, among its other activities, assists the next generation get involved with their community, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”