🔗 Share this article The Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Celebrate Individuals Working to Better the Planet. Our planet is facing challenges, but there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to make a difference. 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 died this year. It seeks to acknowledge individuals and groups that advocate for life on Earth. Award Details The first recipients are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year. According to statements that Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed 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 this to happen. This is likely due to the very special connection she shared with the festival.” “The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge enduring projects carried out to build an environment improved for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation for the continuation that work,” said a family member. Structure and Vision One of the founders of Starmus stated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions. “It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award. Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Present governance in one major nation is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines global initiatives.” “In truth, the situation appears very good so we have to really start thinking again, with greater urgency regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, but also the whole way that we treat nature.” Inspiring Change Consequently, it was noted this is an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – that was her priority, to change the way we treat wildlife around us.” A pressing concern today involves the spread of misinformation. The theme 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. This is a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in this field.” Optimism and Resolve The aspiration remains that this honor will inspire concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to engage and to care and to work in that direction, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at working the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving toward success.” A descendant engaged in conservation work expressed confidence that “given direction and once enabled, humanity are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, pointing to the initiatives of a foundation which, among its other activities, empowers the youth get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world. “As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, the choices we make each day make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” he said. “It is not too late and this medal will provide inspiration and raise awareness about beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”