AMAZON CRISIS
Leonardo DiCaprio almost single-handedly put the crisis in the Amazon rainforest at the forefront of the news cycle this week.
“Terrifying to think that the Amazon is the largest rainforest on the planet, creating 20% of the earth’s oxygen, basically the lungs of the world, has been on fire and burning for the last 16 days running, with literally NO media coverage whatsoever! Why?” he posted to his over 34 million followers on Instagram.
Within days, the likes of French President Emmanuel Macron called the fires an “international crisis” affecting the lungs of the world.
DiCaprio also later announced his environmental organisation, Earth Alliance, would donate $US5 million ($7.4 million AUD) to local groups and indigenous communities as they work to protect the Amazon.
But his actions were not without criticism. Many called out the fact that despite being a passionate environmental activist, DiCaprio often flies in private jets or sails on superyachts that are not solar powered.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, also faced similar criticism last week after reports they had taken four private jets in only a matter of weeks despite speaking out about protecting the planet.
But public figures face a difficult and almost unwinnable situation – use their platform to campaign for environmental change and risk being criticised for doing so.
While their actions may be perceived as hypocritical by some, we should welcome the fact some celebrities are prepared to put their money where their mouth is. With the world’s attention now firmly fixed on Brazil and how it responds to the crisis, DiCaprio’s actions will hopefully lead to a solution.
– Stacey Hicks, Editor