DiCaprio blasts oil and gas industry at World Economic Forum
Leonardo DiCaprio has attacked oil and gas companies for being greedy and contributing to climate change, in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos
Leonardo DiCaprio has attacked the world’s biggest oil and gas companies for being greedy and contributing to climate change, in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Hollywood actor and film producer addressed heads of state, ministers and industry leaders at the annual forum in Switzerland and called for urgent climate action.
At a ceremony, the actor received a crystal award for his environmental work, and said: “We simply cannot afford to allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity. Those entities with a financial interest in preserving this destructive system have denied, and even covered up the evidence of our changing climate.”
DiCaprio, who is tipped to win an academy award for his role in new film The Revenant, added: “Enough is enough. You know better. The world knows better. History will place the blame for this devastation squarely at their feet.”
The star of films including Titanic, Wolf of Wall Street and The Aviator also pledged $15 million in new grants through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to support environmental protection projects.
DiCaprio said: “Our planet cannot be saved unless we leave fossil fuels in the ground where they belong. Twenty years ago, we described this problem as an addiction. Today, we possess the means to end this reliance.”
The actor also praised Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for his support of a “zero-emissions” future.