In January earlier this year, at the World Economic Forum, actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio announced that his charity will donate $15 million to environmental causes.
Academy Award winning director Fisher Stevens (The Cove) chronicled DiCaprio's campaign to raise global awareness about the dangers of climate change in his role as a UN Ambassador of Peace. According to TIFF, where the film premiered, "the film follows [DiCaprio] as he travels to multiple countries, bearing witness to climate change on a scale that no one should deny"
At the World Economic Forum, amongst global leaders and people of influence, DiCaprio declared "Currently, less than 3% of all philanthropic giving goes to defending our planet...towards the protection of our only home, planet earth."
His statement also indicated the positives that a sustainable shift could bring, highlighting that, "investing in climate change reduction strategies makes economic sense and using renewable technology to fill the world's total energy demand could save nearly $42 trillion in global energy costs and create 20 million new jobs."
The latest announcement of funding will include grants for, amongst others, the Solutions Project for innovative, alternative, energy research, Rainforest Action Network to protect and preserve national habitats, and Global FIshing Watch, to encourage ethical fishing and alleviate overfishing.
Since its inception in 1998, the charity, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, has pledged in excess of $30 million to over 65 organisations across various environmental sectors.
We salute DiCaprio and those with influence who endeavour to make a different for the planet, its inhabitants, and future generations.