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Our planet might be under strain, however there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to motivate people to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in memory of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate individuals and groups that champion life on Earth.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients will be revealed during the upcoming Starmus event in Tenerife and La Palma, scheduled from October 17th to 22nd the coming year.

It was shared that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The vision of having this medal, and Starmus being entrusted with organising it, is Jane’s,” a representative said. “Her desire was that she wanted this to happen. This is likely due to the close connection she had with us.”

“This medal will recognize ongoing initiatives undertaken to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to carry on such efforts,” said a family member.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a prestigious venue – will likely include several divisions.

“The intent is for it to be inspired by the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Goodall was a recipient of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to be optimistic. Certain policies globally represents an assault on knowledge. This situation significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“In truth, the prospects aren't very good therefore we must commence reconsidering, more deeply regarding the impact of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, that’s the entire manner in which we interact with nature.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe it was an opportune moment to emulate Goodall’s example. “It is believed that in bestowing this medal, the focus will be on this essential spirit of Jane’s – that was her priority, to transform our relationship with fellow creatures with which we share the planet.”

A pressing concern today is the proliferation of false information. The theme of next year’s Starmus festival is set as “the search for truth”.

“We realised that truth has become contested where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science is a science; you cannot allow interference from politics in climate science.”

Hope and Determination

The aspiration remains that this honor can motivate concrete steps. “It focuses on inspiring individuals to get involved and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we have to look at doing all that is possible,” a statement concluded. “Accept the possibility of failure, yet we must have to work towards succeeding.”

A descendant involved in conservation work shared confidence that “given direction and when empowered, people can be responsible caretakers of our planet”, pointing to the initiatives of an institute which, among its other activities, helps the youth become engaged locally, animals, and the natural world.

“As Jane Goodall constantly reminded us, our daily actions make a difference and it is up to us what type of impact we make,” it was stated. “We still have an opportunity and the Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will give encouragement and increase understanding about the positive actions that people are making.”