Leonardo DiCaprio has made a surprise video appearance at the United for Wildlife Global Summit, where Prince William was also present.
Speaking to the audience via a recorded message before the Prince of Wales, the Oscar-winning actor urged world leaders to take action.
Mr DiCaprio said: “This week, world leaders gather in Brazil for the first global climate summit held in the heart of the rainforest. Brazil is home to 60 per cent of the Amazon, the lungs of the earth and one of the planet’s vital life support systems.
“Yet these irreplaceable ecosystems, like many others, are in peril. In the past four decades, 95 per cent of the Amazon deforestation was driven by animal agriculture, cutting and burning ancient forests for pasture and feed. This destruction fuels droughts and illegal fires, accelerating a dangerous cycle that affects the entire planet and all who inhabit it.”
Leonardo DiCaprio made a surprise appearance at the summit (stock picture)
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The Titanic star explained that during his lifetime, over 400 million acres of forest have been lost.
He continued: “Throughout history, when people destroy nature, civilisations collapse. We know this historically, but those communities who live in balance with nature are the ones that endure.
“And nowhere is this more evident than in the indigenous peoples and local communities who can serve and protect these vast ecosystems. And they show us that we must shift from an extractive, attractive relationship with nature to a protective and restorative form. Since 2021, the Forest Tenure Funders Group has mobilised $1.7billion (£1.3billion) to support them.
“The Protecting Our Planet challenge, which rewild is honoured to be a part of, has provided 500 million of these funds and will renew our pledge for another 500 million over the next five years.”
Mr DiCaprio appeared at the summit via a video message
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GB NEWS
Mr DiCaprio said that leaders in Brazil “have the unprecedented opportunity to back nature’s most effective guardians”, as he urged them to provide correct policies and funding.
The Oscar-winner added: “Through policies and funding from the United for Wildlife Global Summit to the United Nations Climate Convention to all the nations following Brazil’s initial investment of the first billion dollars to the Tropical Forests Forever facility.
“We must learn from our indigenous partners that nature is our most powerful solution to the crisis facing climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing.
“I urge world leaders to unite and meet this moment with courage, ambition and bold action. After all, our future depends on it. Thank you so very much.”
The Prince of Wales delivered a landmark speech at the summit after Mr DiCaprio
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ANDREW PARSONS / KENSINGTON PALACE
His speech was met with a grand applause, as several other speakers took to the stage.
The spotlight fell on Prince William, as the guest of honour, who delivered his message to the summit.
The Prince of Wales announced a groundbreaking partnership to protect indigenous communities in the Amazon as he vowed to extend his “growing Nature’s Protectors Initiative”.
The father-of-three’s model has already been hugely successful in Africa, seeing some 6,000 rangers rolled out across the continent in just a year.
The Prince of Wales announced a groundbreaking partnership at the summit
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ANDREW PARSONS / KENSINGTON PALACE
Speaking at the United for Wildlife Summit in Rio de Janeiro, William said: “I am proud to announce a new partnership between the Royal Foundation, the Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), and the Podaali Fund – the first indigenous led fund covering the Brazilian Amazon.
“COIAB’s work has been critical to fighting for the indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon. This initiative means working in partnership with those who know the land best.
“A partnership that will first focus on some of the most pressing issues: Expanding access to legal aid, establishing an emergency support fund to help those in immediate danger find safety, and work to raise awareness of indigenous peoples’ rights.
“This partnership will be guided by indigenous leadership, delivered through indigenous mechanisms, and focused on those most at risk, such as isolated communities, female indigenous leaders and those living near international borders.
“Because only by working together can we protect those protecting the future of our planet’s critical ecosystems.”