The American actor Leonardo DiCaprio may be well known for his leading male roles within his Hollywood movies and his handsome appearance; however Leonardo DiCaprio is an avid activist and ambassador for environmental concerns.

The Leonardo Foundation was established in 1998 and raises awareness of environmental issues by participation with organisations such as the Natural Resources Defence Council, is on the board of trustees; Global green USA, where he serves as a board member, and the international Fund for Animal Welfare, where he is on the honorary board of directors.

The website for the foundation has allowed for a wider outreach and also helps promote current environmental campaigns such as "the world wide movement to eliminate the use of plastic bags" and more recently the Tiger Summit in Russia as covered by Just4theplanet recently.

DiCaprio has donated US$1 million to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in a bid to save wild tigers from extinction. As covered in our recent report there are fewer than 3,200 tigers left in the wild with a prediction of extinction within 12 years if something is not done now.

"If we don’t take action now" said DiCaprio, "one of the most iconic animals on our planet could be gone in just a few decades."

In 2001 Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation as an ambassador for the environment and conservation, was honoured by Environment Now, and in 2008 the Foundation joined the California Community Foundation and is known as the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at CCF.

Leonardo was honoured as an environmental ambassador when TAG Heuer celebrated 150 years in Basel, Switzerland. At the event he commended TAG Heuer as an organisation who was moving to help save the planet. It is apparent during his speech at the event that he is passionate about his environmental beliefs. We urge readers to take five minutes to click on the video below and listen to what this wonderful ambassador has to say.

Whilst we have prominent celebrities such as Leonardo, and political leaders such as Mr. Putin in Russia, news platforms such as Just4theplanet, companies such as TAG Heuer, and an abundance of charitable organisations bringing the needs of our planet to the forefront of peoples mind set; we just may have a chance.

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