(PHOTO CREDIT: AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN, FILMMAGIC)
Actor opens wallet for Amazon Rainforest fire aide
The Amazon rainforest recently experienced a surge in fires, so Leonardo DiCaprio’s environmental organization is donating $5 million towards helping the ecosystem. Earth Alliance will give the money to local groups and indigenous communities as they work to protect the Amazon.
There have been more than 72,000 fires in the Amazon rainforest this year, according to the National Institute for Space Research in Brazil. The numbers are up from 40,000 at the same point last year. The fires are said to been a result of deliberate deforestation for cattle farming.
In a statement on its website, DiCaprio’s environmental organization said: “The destruction of the Amazon rainforest is rapidly releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, destroying an ecosystem that absorbs millions of tons of carbon emissions every year and is one of the planet’s best defenses against the climate crisis.”
Organizations that will be receiving financial help from the donation include Instituto Associacao Floresta Protegida (Kayapo), Coordination of the Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), Instituto Kabu (Kayapo), Instituto Raoni (Kayapo) and Instituto Socioambiental (ISA).
Earth Alliance was founded by DiCaprio and two other philanthropists back in July. Their goal is to protect wildlife, push for climate justice and secure indigenous rights.
By: Maytinee Kramer
