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The world could be facing challenges, but a sense of hope remains. A new award from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will motivate individuals to take action.

The medal will be given in memory of the esteemed British primatologist who passed away recently. It is designed to celebrate those who champion life on Earth.

Award Details

Initial honorees will be revealed at the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had supported the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. This is likely due to the unique relationship she had with the festival.”

“This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support for the continuation that work,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach that we created exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts about the future for Earth, a prominent voice remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation undermines collective action.”

“In truth, the situation appears particularly bright so we have to begin to reflecting, much more seriously regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat nature.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her foremost concern, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

A major topic at present was highlighted of disinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested when politics are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor will spur positive change. “It focuses on motivating others to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work toward success.”

A descendant engaged in conservation work shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, in addition to its projects, helps young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly emphasized, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”