🔗 Share this article A Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Recognise Individuals Acting to Improve the Planet. Our planet might be under strain, but there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to inspire the public to take action. A gathering related to the Starmus festival. The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that champion the natural world. The Medal's Framework The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from 17–22 October the coming year. According to statements that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. And I think because of the very special connection she had with us.” “The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world improved for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to continue that work,” commented a relative. Structure and Vision One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions. “It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award. Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation represents a war on science. So this undermines collective action.” “Realistically, things don’t look very good therefore we must commence thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, but also the entire manner that we treat our environment.” Inspiring Change As a result, it was noted this is a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “It is believed that when we’re awarding the prize, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to change the way we treat wildlife around us.” Another key issue today was highlighted of false information. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”. “There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.” Optimism and Resolve 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, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.” A family member engaged in conservation work shared optimism that “with guidance and once enabled, people can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, citing the programs of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, wildlife, and environment. “As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “There is still time and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”