Leonardo DiCaprio announces USD 20 mn environmental grants

Leonardo DiCaprio is using his money and fame for a good cause.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has pledged new grants of USD 20 million to more than 100 organisations supporting such causes as wildlife and habitat conservation and climate programs.

Talking about the grants, DiCaprio said, "We are proud to support the work of over 100 organizations at home and abroad. These grantees are active on the ground, protecting our oceans, forests and endangered species for future generations and tackling the urgent, existential challenges of climate change."

DiCaprio announced the grants at a climate change conference at Yale University hosted by John Kerry.

The Oscar-winning actor went on to push for urgent action to shift from fossil fuel reliance to renewable energy.

He noted, "There exist today many proven technologies in renewable energy, clean transportation and sustainable agriculture, that we can begin to build a brighter future for all of us. Our challenge is to find new ways to power our lives, employ millions of people and turn every individual into an advocate for clean air and drinkable water. We must demand that politicians accept climate science and make bold commitments before it is too late."

CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Terry Tamminen, shared, "This round of grants comes at a critical time. With a lack of political leadership and continued evidence that climate change is growing worse with record-breaking heatwaves and storms, we believe we need to do as much as we can now, before it is too late."

The grants will cover six areas in general: climate change, wildlife and landscape conservation, marine life and ocean conservation, innovative solutions, indigenous rights and the California program.