Leonardo DiCaprio is much more than a heartthrob! As the founder and chairman of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, the Oscar winner, 41, has become a powerful and important voice in the environmental conservation sector.
On Wednesday, July 13, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation announced its largest round of grants ever. The LDF awarded $15.7 million to more than 20 organizations, including Oceans 5, Elephant Crisis Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Amazon Watch to support wildlife and habitat conservation as well as combat climate change.
In addition to this giant round of grants, the LDF formally announced the appointment of its new CEO, Terry Tamminen. The former secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency joins the LDF with decades of experience working at the forefront of conservation and sustainable energy initiatives.
In a press release, the Lives Per Gallon: The True Cost of Our Oil Addiction author said, “Leo and his foundation have been an invaluable voice in the environmental movement for many years.” Tammien added, “I am proud to join them in the fight for the defense of our natural world and the protection of every living creature on Earth.”
The Revenant star established the LDF in 1998 and has since granted $59 million to organizations that support the foundation’s mission to improve the “long-term health and well-being of all Earth’s inhabitants.” The four key areas that concern DiCaprio are: climate change, wild lands conservation, oceans conservation and protecting the biodiversity of the Earth.
On April 22 (or Earth Day 2016), DiCaprio addressed the United Nations as more than 170 nations around the world signed the Paris Agreement — a climate pact aimed at slowing global warming and aiding those impacted by its effects.
The Wolf of Wall Street star’s UN speech urged world leaders to acknowledge their place in history: “You are the last best hope of Earth. We ask you to protect it. Or we, and all living things we cherish, are history.“
For more information about the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation visit: http://leonardodicaprio.org/
