Salma Nisa
Class: 3/4
“Anyone who considers themselves a realist will have to make the environment a top priority. The truth is our planet’s alarm is now going off, and it’s time to finally wake up and take action,” said Leonardo DiCaprio as he ended his speech as Earth Day’s Chairman in 2000. As ice caps melt at an alarming rate and spread of wildfires engulf forests, there has been a great increase of celebrities advocating environmental causes and showing their love for the world. However, American actor Leonardo DiCaprio is most definitely an honourable mention for celebrities who champion environmental change.
It is true that our planet’s alarm had gone off and many people are ignoring it. The lack of awareness of what is going on around us is causing great harm to our earth. Many animals are on the verge of extinction. More than half the Koala’s population has been wiped out by the forest fires in Australia and animals like tigers, elephants and whales continue to be poached or killed for recreational purposes. Not only are animals at risk, a lot of countries are facing extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods and other natural disasters. Everyday people are displaced, homeless and separated from their loved ones. Thousands of lives were lost and grieved as a consequence of our neglect and ignorance. This neglect is what pushed DiCaprio to spread awareness and utilise his popularity and wealth to make a difference.
DiCaprio founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and donated 20 million dollars for environmental protection. The money is used to protect biodiversity, safeguarding indigenous people and combating climate change. He has met with former US President Barack Obama to discuss about climate change and met current US President Donald Trump to convince him that climate change is real. Furthermore, he produced the environmental documentary, “The 11th Hour” to feature the critical and urgent problem of climate change. DiCaprio is part of the board of directors of many environment organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund and was named the United Nation’s Messenger of Peace for Climate Change. This just further proves how much of an environmental advocate DiCaprio is.
Leonardo DiCaprio is an inspiration for other celebrities to follow. He is not only a talented and popular actor but is an icon who uses his wealth and popularity to save the earth. As the days continue to pass by, I hope that his efforts will pay off and more people will be more concerned about the environment.
Writers by the River 