🔗 Share this article The Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Recognise Those Striving to Better the World. Our planet might be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will inspire people to take action. A gathering related to the Starmus festival. This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who passed away recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect our planet's biodiversity. Award Details The inaugural winners will be revealed during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year. Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had supported the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the unique connection she shared with the festival.” “The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support to carry on such efforts,” said a family member. Format and Inspiration One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – which was announced at a scientific institution – will likely have multiple categories. “It will be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall herself received of that very medal. Expressing concern about the future of the planet, a prominent voice stated, “Frankly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. The current political climate in one major nation is conducting a war on science. So this undermines global initiatives.” “To be honest, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must commence thinking again, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, that’s the entire manner that we treat the natural world.” Inspiring Change Therefore, it was noted this is a good time to follow Goodall’s example. “I think that when we’re awarding the prize, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard the other animals with which we share the planet.” Another key issue at present was highlighted of misinformation. The central topic of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”. “There is a recognition that truth has become contested when politics is involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence by political agendas in climate science.” Hope and Determination The hope is that the medal can motivate positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to care and to strive in that direction, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to focus on working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, yet we must have to work toward success.” A descendant engaged in conservation work shared confidence that “with guidance and when empowered, humans are capable of being conscientious guardians of Earth”, highlighting the initiatives of a foundation that, in addition to its projects, helps the youth become engaged with their community, animals, and the natural world. “As Jane Goodall constantly told everyone, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding about constructive efforts that people are making.”