🔗 Share this article A Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Recognise Individuals Acting to Better the Planet. Our planet might be under strain, yet there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will motivate the public to make a difference. A gathering related to the Starmus festival. The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the renowned British primatologist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate those who protect our planet's biodiversity. Award Details The inaugural winners are expected to be announced at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year. Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the close bond she shared with the festival.” “The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to continue such efforts,” commented a relative. Format and Inspiration One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories. “It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal. Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. The current political climate globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation undermines collective action.” “To be honest, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to commence reconsidering, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.” A Call to Action Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her priority, to change how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.” A major topic today involves the spread of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival will be “the search for truth”. “There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.” Optimism and Resolve The aspiration is that the medal will spur positive change. “It’s about inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to look at working the best we can,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work towards succeeding.” A descendant involved in conservation work expressed optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humanity can be diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the work of a foundation which, among its other activities, helps young people become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world. “As my late grandmother constantly told everyone, 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 the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”