DiCaprio joins advisory board of beverage company

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has joined the advisory board of Ecuadorian beverage company Runa after making an investment in the firm.

DiCaprio joins World Wildlife Fund President Yolanda Kakabadse and former US Secretary of Agriculture and Executive Director of UNICEF Ann Veneman on the company's advisory board, reports variety.com.

He participated in an investment round, which included Marlon Wayans, Adam Rodriguez ("CSI Miami") and professional tennis players John Isner and Steve Johnson.

Actor Channing Tatum was an early investor.

Runa products are made from guayusa caffeinated tea leaf from the Ecuadorian Amazon, which is sustainably produced in the rainforest by 3,000 indigenous farming families.

"I am so proud to join with Runa in supporting the indigenous people of the Amazon," DiCaprio said.

"The future of these communities, and many like them across the world, are at risk as their native lands are exploited for natural resource and agricultural development. Sustainable farming practices are key to helping ensure a brighter future for so many local people," he added.

DiCaprio has committed to donating his shares to indigenous community groups in the Amazon.

"We must all do everything we can to help indigenous and local people who too often suffer the worst environmental degradation, and are most at risk from climate change," said "The Revenant" star.

"Empowering them to stand up and fight back against the outside interests that threaten their survival is a cause that must be championed," he added.

He won the best actor Oscar for "The Revenant" earlier in February and spoke out in his acceptance speech about climate change, calling it "the most urgent threat facing our entire species."

DiCaprio is a longtime supporter of environmental organisations and has sat on the boards of the World Wildlife Fund, Global Green USA, International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

--IANS

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