Up until Titanic appeared on our screens and tied with Ben-Hur as the most awarded movie ever, DiCaprio already had years of acting experience under his belt. But, it was arguably this movie that pushed him into the limelight for achieving heartthrob status.
And while he then became an actor in demand he also turned his attention to the environmental movement and set up the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF).
At the recent 20th anniversary of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, the Wolf on Wall Street actor was honored for being an environmental warrior and helping to support over 200 environmentally focused projects.
He was even chosen as a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2014.
New funding
In front of A-list celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Madonna and Ellen DeGeneres, DiCaprio announced there would be $11 million worth of new funding to all six of the foundation’s programs; Wildlands Conservation, Oceans Conservation, Climate Change, Indigenous Rights, Transforming California, and Innovative Solutions.
This would bring the foundation’s total contribution to over $100 million.
“When I founded LDF 20 years ago, I did so based on the simple idea that we could make a real difference by directly funding some of the most effective environmental projects – whether it be individuals, grassroots movements or major nonprofits, we wanted to focus on getting critical funding to those who could have the greatest impact,” he said in a statement on the LDF’s website.
Environmental warrior
“Since 1998, we have supported over 200 projects on every continent and in every ocean from habitat and species conservation, renewable energy, climate change, indigenous rights, and more.”
Coldplay front man and fellow environmental warrior Chris Martin also performed at the event.
Find out more about the incredible work this foundation does int he video below.
[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcpXRowp81I” /]
If watching this doesn’t inspire to want to make a difference then I don’t know what will. Thank goodness for actors such as DiCaprio who use their Hollywood status to achieve so much good.
Please share to inspire others.