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Earth is facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage the public to take action.

The medal is to be awarded in memory of the renowned British primatologist who died this year. It is designed to celebrate those who advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

According to statements that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the close relationship she shared with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure said, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to maintain optimism. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright therefore we must commence thinking again, much more seriously regarding the impact of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

Another key issue at present was highlighted of false information. The theme of next year’s festival will be “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference by political agendas in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor can motivate positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to participate and to care and to work in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to focus on working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation that, among its other activities, assists young people get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that people are making.”