🔗 Share this article The Jane Goodall Earth Medal to Recognise Individuals Working to Improve the Planet. Earth might be under pressure, but a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor originating at the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will inspire people to act. An event related to the Starmus festival. The medal will be given to pay tribute to the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It will recognise individuals and groups that protect the natural world. The Medal's Framework The first recipients are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd next year. According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The concept of having this medal, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the close relationship she had with us.” “This medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member. Structure and Vision A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields. “It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal. Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, a prominent voice said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents an assault on knowledge. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.” “To be honest, the situation appears particularly bright which means we need to really start reflecting, much more seriously about the consequences of human activity. This concern encompasses not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat the natural world.” Following an Example Consequently, it was noted it was an opportune moment to emulate her guiding principles. “I think that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit of Jane’s – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard wildlife with which we share the planet.” Another key issue at present involves the spread of disinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”. “It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics are involved. And it’s a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.” Hope and Determination The aspiration is that this honor will spur positive change. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to work in that direction, really. Whether or not we’re optimistic, we must focus on working our utmost,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.” A descendant involved in conservation work shared hope that “with guidance and once enabled, people are capable of being conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, assists young people get involved locally, wildlife, and the natural world. “As my late grandmother often emphasized, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we choose to create,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding the positive actions that people are making.”