It’s typical for American celebrities to support causes solely through monetary donations.
Despite their claims to hold high value for the organization, they rarely make substantial lifestyle changes. This is not the case with Leonardo DiCaprio climate change activism.
DiCaprio’s passion for environmental protection was evident in his acceptance speech after he won his first Oscar in 2016. At this point, he was already a board member of the World Wildlife Fund and named a Messenger of Peace with a particular focus on climate change by the United Nations.
What has Leonardo DiCaprio done for climate change?
Leonardo DiCaprio climate change activism didn’t begin during his academy awards acceptance speech. When he was just 24 years old, DiCaprio started a nonprofit to support organizations and projects that combat climate change, protect wildlife, and preserve threatened ecosystems. Since its creation in 1998, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has funded over 200 projects and raised nearly 100 million dollars.
The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) has some transparency issues
This money has been translated into grants awarded to 132 causes across 50 countries in collaboration with over 65 partner organizations. His foundation is one of the largest environmental nonprofits that focuses on a wide range of Earth activism like marine conservation, renewable energy, and Indigenous Rights.
But one note, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation is a donor-advised fund; a type of charity that allows the contributor a tax deduction and one that is not required to file disclosures about how the donations are spent.
Watchdog groups have determined LDF does not provide financial statements permitting the public records of revenues, expenditures, or disbursements. When DiCaprio was questioned on this activity by Philanthropy News Digest, he declined to answer. So really, all we can do is take his word for it and hope his environmentalist attitudes are not just… an act.
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What is Leonardo DiCaprio presently doing for climate change?
On a more positive note, we assume DiCaprio upholds a plant-based diet. Besides partnering with numerous vegan brands like Beyond Meat, Califia Farms, and HIPPEAS, he has produced various films and documentaries exposing the detrimental effects of the farming industry on the environment.
In 2014, DiCaprio took Cowspiracy to Netflix, a documentary focusing on animal agriculture and its consequences. The film discusses the industry’s need to keep animal farming’s true impact on climate hidden from the public.
After producing this film with director Keegan Kuhn, DiCaprio had given up beef but is now presumed to be fully vegan despite never publicly disclosing this. Moby, a vegan singer exposed DiCaprio in a 2019 interview with The Spectator by playfully calling him a “bold-face vegan.”
So, is Leonardo DiCaprio actually eco-conscious?
We think if he is vegan, the credibility of his foundation undoubtedly rises.
DiCaprio has been accused of being an “eco-hypocrite” due to his frequent use of private jets and superyachts. And rightfully so, because how environmentally mindful can you be if you partake in such gluttonous acts?
Last year, he attempted to clean up his eco-image by taking a commercial flight to attend COP26 in Glasgow. It’s possible this was just a publicity stunt to appease critics but nevertheless, his effort is appreciated.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s contribution to environmental preservation is mostly uncharted. Even his foundation devoted to combating climate change among other eco-centered causes isn’t entirely transparent about its operations. We can only hope he leads an honest life for the sake of humanity and our planet.
How other celebs are tackling climate change?
Julia Roberts is an actual climate change activist
Jason Momoa “Khal Drogo” is smashing water pollution
Billie Eilish is genZ eco savior
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — In the Featured Photo: Leonardo DiCaprio. Featured Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
