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Earth could be facing challenges, yet a sense of hope remains. A novel accolade originating at the interdisciplinary festival the Starmus festival will inspire people to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal is to be awarded to pay tribute to the esteemed scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate those who champion life on Earth.

Award Details

The first recipients are slated for announcement at the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Jane 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, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said she would like for this to occur. And I think due to the very special connection she had with the festival.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to build an environment a better place for people, animals and the environment and offer support to continue that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Sharing thoughts on the outlook of the planet, a prominent voice remarked, “To be truthful, it’s very hard to be optimistic. The current political climate globally is conducting an assault on knowledge. This situation undermines the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't very good so we have to commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. This concern encompasses not only global warming, that’s the whole way in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, observers believe it was an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to change our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A major topic at present involves the spread of disinformation. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested where political interests are involved. And it’s a very dangerous thing,” it was said. “Climate research remains a scientific discipline; you cannot allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration is that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must focus on working all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Be prepared for setbacks, but you still continue striving to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed optimism that “given direction and when empowered, humans can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, highlighting the initiatives of an institute that, among its other activities, assists young people get involved locally, wildlife, and environment.

“As Jane Goodall often reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and it is up to us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that are being undertaken.”