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Our planet might be under strain, but optimism persists. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival Starmus seeks to encourage the public to take action.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

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 next year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close connection she shared with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created 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 maintain optimism. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must really start thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat the natural world.”

Inspiring Change

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern currently was highlighted of misinformation. The theme of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“We realised 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 remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence by political agendas in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor can motivate action. “It’s about motivating others to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in conservation work shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, people can be conscientious guardians of Earth”, citing the work of an institute which, among its other activities, helps the next generation get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”