Green Time is Now, says Leo

Green Time is Now, says Leo:
By Anne Brodie

"So we find ourselves on the brink ? because we've waited, because we've turned our backs on nature's warning signs and because our political and corporate leaders have ignored the overwhelming scientific evidence ? we are in the environmental age whether we like it or not'."
-Leonardo DiCaprio in ?The 11th Hour'

Leonardo Di Caprio is a force for nature.

He is the messiah of green, the fastest growing and most passionately espoused trend in recent times. Hollywood has embraced conservationism and has the power to put its money where its mouth is. Film is a platform with a very long reach.

DiCaprio documentary feature The 11th Hour debuts at Cannes this month.

It's an exhaustive look at our destructive impact on the earth, and our impulse to save it. Filming took two years of his life, interviewing leading international green, political, scientific, design and cultural figures like Steven Hawking, Mikhail Gorbachev and David Suzuki as well as people from the other side of the debate.

DiCaprio is on the boards of the Natural Defense Council, Global Green USA and spearheads the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation dedicated to eco survival. He's traveled to Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and to barren, polluted, threatened and endangered places around the world.

He's been to the seats of power to spread the word and he's publically bashed President Bush on his shoddy green record. However, DiCaprio offers intelligent pro-active solutions acquired over years of asking questions.

He opens debate and people listen.

DiCaprio is number one on Time Magazine's 2007 Most Influential People on the Planet list. Martin Scorsese, a longtime admirer, says -

?Leo, 32, is, at heart, fiercely private. He's also responsible, in the sense that he takes his citizenship-of the world-very seriously, as seriously as he does his acting. He has used his celebrity very carefully in an effort to raise awareness, particularly among younger generations, of the environmental perils facing our planet. And like all serious artists, Leo is a passionate student. He never stops studying and learning.?

DiCaprio's environmental satori happened in Thailand in 2000, while shooting The Beach. The filmmakers were widely criticised for polluting pristine waters and jungles in the Phuket area.

That year DiCaprio conducted a famously accusatory interview with President Bill Clinton for an ABC Earth Day special; he stumbled then but this is now.

He saw his potential to make change, educated himself and today, is an eloquent and influential advocate with passion to spare. His official sites www.leonardodicaprio.org and www.leonardodicaprio.com offer extensive conservation learning opportunities and insights into his dedication.

More @ http://liveearth.ca.msn.com/green/articles/LiveEarthArticleGreenLeoDicaprio.aspx

wow, i'm quite impressed reading this. i knew there were 'green' stars out there; but Leo seems to have truly educated himself, and not just protested. Good on him.. *The more awareness the better.. 'i'm thinking what a team him and Gore would make..LOL! Come to think of it i saw them standing together at this years Oscars, so it's likely they are putting their heads together..*S*

hmm, i think for the most part they don't generally, because alot of it's emotion based. However, i think Diacaprio is in a different league. He's sacrificed and worked extremely hard the last couple of years and now serves on many boards. He's worked up his reputation and credibilty through his own hard work, education and undaunting passion. I think he deserves a chance, and his heart truly seems to be in it.. As well, i can only assume Gore is in his corner as well.. At the very least, he's a terrific platform for change..*scientists can only do so much..~s

That's great that you are environmentally responsible, primegen. More people should take that initiative. i can appreciate that! And i can understand the points you make to a big extent. However, i'm sure many scientists, professional environmentalists and politicians ride big gas guzzling suv's or planes often enough. i like to keep positive and look on the bright side of things. I think for the most part, you take the good with the bad. I don't think Leo will be very effective getting around by hot air balloon or handmade life raft..LOL ..okay j/k ing!! 😉 Seriously, planes are really the only way to get across the globe, at least for now; actors and environmentalists such as Decap need them, as well...*sometimes i think we just have to bite the bullet of faith and put more trust in an imperfect world, where a person can have their heart, passions and motivations in the right place for the bigger cause of all.. Leo is giving a great platform of awareness for the scientists in his documentary. Many will listen to him. He's also given alot of money towards environmental causes. I applaud him for doing what he believes in and spreading the message to take care of the earth; we can all do our bit.

*and who knows, Decaprio may being doing some or alot of these environmental things in his own home; we just don't know... *anyway, i do hope he has thought of these things on a more (personal level) ..i totally agree with you there. Good food for thought!

hmmm interesting, will have to look him up, heard of him, that's about all. i still think some try more than others, even actors can care...'and trying is better than what alot of regular everyday folk do..

Oh yeah, now i'm remembering who Ed Begley Jr is..*i just checked out his site, thanks prime! To be honest i had no idea..*wow, he is seriously into this and for the long haul i strongly suspect.. 'you're so right, he certainly does deserve alot of points and respect. I like the helpful tips and question section of his site. He must have already helped so many. Thanks again for the link, primegen..

"Funny thing is, I never liked him as an actor."

LOL* my thoughts exactly.. 'that's probably why i had forgotton all about him ..'no offence to Mr. Begley! 😉 He does seem much more like a real everyday pragmatic sort, with some great eco-friendly ideas. From a ripple to a wave, who knows maybe it will eventually catch on with the more elite..*someone to light the path..