🔗 Share this article The Starmus Earth Medal in Honor of Jane Goodall Will Honor Individuals Striving to Improve the Planet. Our planet could be facing challenges, but optimism persists. A fresh honor from the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will inspire people to make a difference. A gathering related to the Starmus festival. The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will be given in honour of the esteemed scientist and conservationist who passed away this year. It is designed to celebrate those who advocate for life on Earth. Honoring a Legacy The inaugural winners will be revealed at the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October next year. According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, is Jane’s,” a statement said. “She expressed she would like for this to occur. And I think because of the very special connection she shared with us.” “The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will recognize sustainable programmes undertaken to create a planet a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and offer support for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member. Format and Inspiration A co-founder of Starmus noted that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – would probably include several divisions. “The intent is for it to be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking award honoring scientific outreach that we created a decade past,” he explained. Goodall was an honoree of that very medal. Sharing thoughts on the outlook for Earth, one figure remarked, “To be truthful, it's challenging to be optimistic. Present governance globally represents a war on science. So this really cripples collective action.” “To be honest, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must commence thinking again, more deeply regarding the impact of our actions. And that’s not just global warming, but also the whole way that we treat our environment.” Following an Example As a result, it was noted this is a good time to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “I think that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy of Jane’s – which made her priority, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.” Another key issue currently is the proliferation of misinformation. The focus of the upcoming Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”. “It has become apparent that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. This is a perilous development,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.” Optimism and Resolve The aspiration is that this honor will spur positive change. “The purpose is inspiring individuals to engage and to show concern and to strive in that direction, really. Regardless of if we feel hopeful, we have to focus on working our utmost,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.” A descendant involved in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and when empowered, humans are capable of being responsible caretakers of Earth”, highlighting the work of a foundation that, among its other activities, helps the youth get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment. “As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, our daily actions have an impact and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we make,” he said. “There is still time and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding about the positive actions that are being undertaken.”