🔗 Share this article A Jane Goodall Earth Medal Will Recognise Individuals Acting to Improve the Planet. Our planet could be facing challenges, however a sense of hope remains. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival seeks to encourage people to take action. A gathering related to the Starmus festival. This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in honour of the celebrated British primatologist who died this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who champion the natural world. Award Details Initial honorees are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year. Reports indicate that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The idea behind this award, and the festival being tasked with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “She expressed that she wanted for this to occur. This is likely because of the close relationship she shared with us.” “The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize ongoing initiatives carried out to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement to carry on such efforts,” said a family member. Format and Inspiration A co-founder of Starmus indicated that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – would probably have multiple categories. “It will be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication that we created a decade past,” he explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that award. Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Frankly, it’s very hard to be optimistic. Certain policies globally is conducting a war on science. So this significantly hampers global initiatives.” “To be honest, things don’t look particularly bright so we have to really start reflecting, more deeply about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only climate change, that’s the whole way that we treat our environment.” Inspiring Change Therefore, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with wildlife with which we share the planet.” Another key issue at present is the proliferation of false information. The central topic of next year’s festival is set as “the search for truth”. “There is a recognition that factual reality is becoming contested when politics is involved. This is a perilous development,” he commented. “Climate research is a science; you cannot have any influence from politics in climate science.” Optimism and Resolve The aspiration is that the medal will inspire positive change. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to participate and to care and to work toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we must look at doing our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of setbacks, but you still continue striving towards succeeding.” A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humanity can be diligent stewards of our planet”, pointing to the work of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the youth get involved locally, animals, and environment. “As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, our daily actions have an impact 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 about constructive efforts that are being undertaken.”