Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos, two prominent figures in the fight against climate change, have joined forces to launch the Protecting Our Planet (POP) Challenge, a $200 million fund dedicated to preserving the Amazon rainforest. Their aim is to safeguard the Indigenous people who call the Amazon home and protect the region’s unique wildlife.
DiCaprio, known for his roles in films like “The Revenant,” is participating in the challenge through Re:wild, an organization he co-founded in 2021 that focuses on rewilding. In a press release, he expressed his inspiration from Brazil’s ambitious goals for protecting the Amazon, emphasizing its significance as a crucial habitat for wildlife.
Bezos, the founder of Amazon and an advocate for environmental causes, is contributing to the fund through his Bezos Earth Fund. He and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez launched the initiative to combat climate change and promote sustainability. Cristián Samper, the managing director and leader of nature solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund, expressed support for the Brazilian government’s commitment to preserving the Amazon, highlighting the region’s importance for global biodiversity and climate.
The Protecting Our Planet Challenge has set several objectives over the next four years. It aims to eliminate deforestation in the Amazon, protect approximately 145 million acres of undesignated public lands, strengthen the management of existing protected regions, and ensure the rights of Indigenous guardians of the Brazilian Amazon are respected.
The Amazon rainforest, spanning multiple countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia, is home to over 400 Indigenous groups and millions of species. However, alarming statistics reveal that 17 percent of the Amazonian forest has already been lost. Scientists warn that if deforestation reaches 20-25 percent, catastrophic consequences will follow. This collaborative effort seeks to prevent such a devastating outcome and contribute to Brazil’s goal of achieving zero deforestation in the region.
This is not the first time Leonardo DiCaprio has shown his commitment to environmental causes. In 2021, he joined forces with Prince Harry, Forest Whitaker, and Djimon Hounsou in urging a suspension of oil and gas drilling in Africa’s Okavango River Basin. DiCaprio used his influence on social media, calling on fans to support the cause and sign an open letter to halt drilling activities that would harm the region’s ecosystem and its inhabitants.
The partnership between DiCaprio, Bezos, and other dedicated individuals signifies a united front in the battle to protect our planet. By investing in the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and raising awareness about environmental threats, they hope to secure a sustainable and green future for the region and its inhabitants, while inspiring others to take action in the global fight against climate change.