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The world is facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus will motivate individuals to make a difference.

The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in memory of the renowned scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It seeks to acknowledge those who protect our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

Initial honorees are slated for announcement during the Starmus VIII festival in the Canary Islands, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

It was shared that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had backed the award’s creation. “The idea behind this award, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted for this to occur. And I think due to the close bond she shared with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives undertaken to create a planet improved for people, animals and the environment and offer support to carry on that work,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably encompass various fields.

“The intent is for it to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking medal honoring scientific outreach established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall herself received of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future for Earth, one figure stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to feel hopeful. The current political climate in one major nation represents an assault on knowledge. So this really cripples global initiatives.”

“Realistically, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must begin to thinking again, much more seriously about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not just climate change, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, it was noted this is a good time to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, we will be considering this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with the other animals around us.”

A pressing concern at present is the proliferation of false information. The central topic of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested where political interests is involved. And it’s a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”

Optimism and Resolve

The hope is that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at working our utmost,” it was added. “Be prepared for failure, yet we must continue striving towards succeeding.”

A family member engaged in environmental protection shared confidence that “given direction and when empowered, humanity are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, citing the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged with their community, wildlife, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day have an impact and the responsibility lies with us the kind of difference we make,” it was stated. “It is not too late and this medal will offer support and increase understanding regarding beneficial initiatives that people are making.”