Lights, Camera, Activism:

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Multi-Decade Fight Against the Climate Crisis

Leonardo DiCaprio’s commitment to climate action is driven by a deep-seated passion for the natural world that predates his global fame. Inspired by childhood nature documentaries and a pivotal 1998 meeting with Al Gore, he has spent over 25 years leveraging his celebrity to advocate for what he calls the “defining crisis of our time”. His work is multifaceted, combining high-level diplomacy, significant financial philanthropy, and powerful storytelling to shift public consciousness.

DiCaprio’s impact is most visible through his leadership roles and organizational work:

Diplomatic Advocacy: As a United Nations Messenger of Peace, he has delivered powerful addresses to world leaders, such as at the 2014 Climate Summit and the signing of the Paris Agreement, urging bold action over political excuses.

Direct Funding: Through the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (now part of Re:wild), he has provided over $100 million in grants to support more than 200 conservation projects globally, ranging from protecting tigers in Nepal to supporting renewable energy in the Amazon.

Media & Documentaries: He has produced and narrated influential films like Before the Flood and The 11th Hour, which explore the global destruction caused by climate change and showcase potential scientific solutions.

Sustainable Investing: He uses his personal wealth to back green technologies and plant-based companies, such as Beyond Meat and Mosa Meat, aiming to reform global food systems and reduce the environmental footprint of animal agriculture.