Leonardo DiCaprio takes on 'corporate greed' and climate change at Davos
Growing Oscar buzz may be keeping him in the news, but Leonardo DiCaprio also deserves the spotlight for his ongoing efforts to fight climate change. At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, the actor pledged over $15 million to various environmental groups.
See also: Leonardo DiCaprio joins fossil fuel divestment movement as it reaches $2.6 trillion mark
A breakdown of the actor's pledges includes:
- $6 million to Oceana and Skytruth for Global Fishing Watch
- $1 million to the Nature Conservancy for Seychelles debt for nature swap
- $3.2 million to Rainforest Action Network and Haka to protect Sumatran rainforest
- $3.4 million to Clearwater and the Ceibo Alliance in South America
- $1.5 million to the Solutions Project
"Together we are fighting to preserve our fragile climate from irreversible damage, and devastation of unthinkable proportions," DiCaprio said in a speech at the Davos Crystal Award Ceremony.
"We simply cannot afford to allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity," he cntinued. "Those entities with a financial interest in preserving this destructive system have denied, and even covered-up the evidence of our changing climate. Enough is enough. You know better. The world knows better. History will place the blame for this devastation squarely at their feet."
"Our planet cannot be saved unless we leave fossil fuels in the ground where they belong," he added. "20 years ago, we described this problem as an addiction. Today, we possess the means to end this reliance."
Image: ean-Christophe Bott/Keystone/Associated Press
The actor emphasized that climate action will also save $42 trillion in energy costs and create 20 million jobs. He also noted that renewable energy can supplant fossil fuels and other harmful sources by 2050, according to Stanford researchers.
"Leaders like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerburg and Jeff Bezos have already pledged to help build a zero-emissions future," said DiCaprio. "I ask you to join them, because if we all do our part and act with bold leadership, we can achieve major, meaningful progress. It is not only an inevitable transition, it is also imperative for the future of our planet."
Despite the growing attention to climate change in politics and media, DiCaprio noted that a mere 3% of philanthropic efforts go toward protecting the Earth. Beyond lowering fossil fuel emissions and the causes of global warming, his foundation also seeks to preserve natural ecosystems.
"Ecosystems...provide us with breathable air, drinkable water, fertile soil and bountiful seas," DiCaprio said. "These complex ecosystems can never be replaced; they are the foundation of our global economy, and more importantly, our interconnected climate –- without them life as we know it will simply collapse."
