🔗 Share this article A Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Recognise Individuals Acting to Improve the Planet. The world is under strain, yet a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival aims to motivate the public to take action. A gathering related to the Starmus festival. The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who protect the natural world. Honoring a Legacy The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year. Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had supported the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, was Jane's wish,” a representative said. “She expressed she would like this to happen. This is likely because of the close bond she had with us.” “This medal aims to highlight ongoing initiatives undertaken to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation that work,” commented a relative. Format and Inspiration One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions. “It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was a recipient of that award. Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it is difficult to be optimistic. Present governance globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. So this undermines the world’s efforts.” “In truth, the situation appears particularly bright therefore we must begin to thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.” A Call to Action Consequently, observers believe it was a good time to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.” A pressing concern at present involves the spread of false information. The central topic of the upcoming festival will be “the pursuit of factual understanding”. “We realised that factual reality has become a matter of debate when politics is involved. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.” Optimism and Resolve The aspiration is that the medal will spur action. “It focuses on encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.” A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “given direction and once enabled, people can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the work of an institute which, in addition to its projects, helps young people become engaged locally, wildlife, and the natural world. “As Jane Goodall repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” it was stated. “There is still time and this medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that people are making.”