‘Earth Alliance’ co-chaired by Leonardo DiCaprio launches fund to save Amazon Rainforest
The ravaging fire in the Amazon Rainforest has become a matter of global-concern now. The flames that have engulfed the forest are rapidly destroying the forest and thereby causing hazardous effects on the climate and biodiversity.
The eminent American actor, Leonardo DiCaprio who is also an environmentalist has always been an active participant in the environment conservation and preservation programs. His non-profitable environmental organization ‘Earth Alliance’ which he co-founded in July 2019 with Laurene Powell Jobs and Brian Sheth, has contributed $5 million towards the preservation of Amazon Rainforest.
#EarthAlliance has formed an emergency Amazon Forest Fund with $5m to focus critical resources for indigenous communities and other local partners working to protect the biodiversity of the Amazon against the surge of fires. Learn more & donate: https://t.co/uG2WoEoKqx pic.twitter.com/IbcubQCO4v
— Earth Alliance (@earthalliance) August 25, 2019
The organization led by an independent team of scientists and conservationists has encouraged people to donate after its initial commitment of $5M. The newly created emergency Amazon Forest Fund aims to finance key protections needed to maintain the ‘lungs of the planet’’. The funds will be distributed directly to local partners and the indigenous communities protecting the Amazon against the surge of fires currently burning the region, the organization conveyed in a post.
Burning now at the highest rate since 2013, Amazon Rainforest is the land for indigenous people and covers about 110 hectares of the Brazilian Amazon. The region which generates 20% oxygen of the planet is very vital for the biodiversity and climate preservation of the planet. Fires in Brazil during the dry season are not uncommon but as per Brazil’s National Institute for Space and Research, record 75,000 wildfires have broken out across the region as of 21 August 2019.
The organization, co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio is lending a helping hand to local organizations- Instituto Associacao Floresta Protegida, Coordination of the Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon, Instituto Kabu, Instituto Raoni, and Instituto Socioambiental. The immediate climate crisis is being blamed upon Brazil’s President, Jair Bolsonaro, too, who rolled back environmental protections after taking the cabinet this year.
Along with celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio who is being constantly trying to make people aware of the crisis through various means, French leader, Emmanuel Macron threatened to block a European Union trade deal with Brazil over the fires. Leonardo has been constantly posting on his social media, attempting to educate people about the fires in the Amazon Rainforest and the consequences of it on the planet and species.
It’s high time for humans to come out of their bubble and join in the movement to save their mother planet. The rate at which natural resources are being depleted, global warming is rising and climate is changing; a serious threat has been imposed on this planet and every species residing in it.