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Earth might be under pressure, yet there is hope. A new award from the science, music and arts festival Starmus seeks to encourage people to make a difference.

The medal is to be awarded in memory of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that champion our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think due to the very special bond she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of Starmus noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “Frankly, it is difficult to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents a war on science. This situation really cripples the world’s efforts.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to really start thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

Consequently, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change our relationship with fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic today involves the spread of false information. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth is becoming a matter of debate when politics is involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that this honor will spur action. “It’s about motivating others to get involved and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, yet we must have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being diligent stewards of our planet”, citing the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions make a difference and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives currently in progress.”