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Our planet is facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire the public to make a difference.

The medal will be given in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died this year. It will recognise individuals and groups that advocate for our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the close connection she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize enduring projects undertaken to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

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

“It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it is difficult to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't very good so we have to really start reconsidering, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe it was a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform our relationship with the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The aspiration remains that the medal can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, helps young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will give encouragement and raise awareness regarding the positive actions that people are making.”