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The world is facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival aims to encourage the public to act.

The medal will honor in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that advocate for the natural world.

Honoring a Legacy

The inaugural winners are expected to be announced during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, scheduled from 17–22 October next year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, who was a member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a statement said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. And I think due to the very special relationship she had with the festival.”

“This medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation that work,” commented a relative.

Structure and Vision

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – will likely include several divisions.

“It’s going to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern on the outlook for Earth, one figure said, “To be truthful, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance globally represents a dismissal of evidence. This situation really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good which means we need to commence reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. This concern encompasses not just global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Inspiring Change

As a result, it was noted it was an opportune moment to honor Goodall’s example. “I think that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to change the way we treat fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of disinformation. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming a matter of debate when politics is involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” it was said. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor can motivate action. “It’s about encouraging people to participate and to care and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we have to look at doing the best we can,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A family member engaged in conservation work expressed optimism that “with guidance and when empowered, humans can be diligent stewards of our planet”, highlighting the work of an institute which, in addition to its projects, helps young people become engaged locally, animals, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall repeatedly reminded us, our daily actions are significant and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”