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Leonardo DiCaprio's Earth Alliance Is Donating $5 Million To Amazon Fire Effort

Leonardo DiCaprio's Earth Alliance Is Donating $5 Million To Amazon Fire Effort

The money will be going to five local organisations that are trying to control the fires.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

As the world continues to watch in horror at the Amazon being consumed by flames, many are wondering what can be done.

An organisation backed by Leonardo DiCaprio has just committed a massive chunk of money to help authorities tackle the many fires currently burning in the forest dubbed 'the world's lungs'.

Earth Alliance has donated $5 million to the fire effort, which will go to five local organisations that are directly related to combating the collective blaze.

PA

Those organisations are 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 started in July with DiCaprio and billionaire business investors and philanthropists, Laurene Powell Jobs and Brian Sheth.

Launched in response to a growing climate crisis and staggering loss of biodiversity threatening the stability of life on Earth, the Alliance marks a shared commitment to addressing these intertwined threats.

But the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star isn't just donating his own organisation's money, he's let regular people know how they can help.

He wrote on Instagram last week: "The lungs of the Earth are in flames.

PA

"The Brazilian Amazon - home to 1 million Indigenous people and 3 million species - has been burning for more than two weeks straight.

"There have been 74,000 fires in the Brazilian Amazon since the beginning of this year - a staggering 84% increase over the same period last year (National Institute for Space Research, Brazil).

"Scientists and conservationists attribute the accelerating deforestation to President Jair Bolsonaro, who issued an open invitation to loggers and farmers to clear the land after taking office in January.⁣⁣ The largest rainforest in the world is a critical piece of the global climate solution.

"Without the Amazon, we cannot keep the Earth's warming in check. ⁣⁣The Amazon needs more than our prayers."

The post goes on to suggest some ways in which we can help to protect the Amazon.

It continues: "So what can YOU do?

Leonardo DiCaprio/Instagram

"As an emergency response, donate to front line Amazon groups working to defend the forest. ⁣

"Consider becoming a regular supporter of the Rainforest Alliance's community forestry initiatives across the world's most vulnerable tropical forests, including the Amazon; this approach is by far the most effective defence against deforestation and natural forest fires, but it requires deep, long-term collaboration between the communities and the public and private sectors.

"Stay on top of this story and keep sharing posts, tagging news agencies and influencers. ⁣

"Be a conscious consumer, taking care to support companies committed to responsible supply chains.⁣ Eliminate or reduce consumption of beef; cattle ranching is one of the primary drivers of Amazon deforestation.

"When election time comes, VOTE for leaders who understand the urgency of our climate crisis and are willing to take bold action - including strong governance and forward-thinking policy.⁣⁣"

There have been more than 72,000 fires in the Amazon this year, a number that has never been recorded. Fingers have been pointed at who is to blame, however the thing that is most important is getting the lungs healthy again.

To pressure the Australian government into making decisions that address climate change in order to protect one of Australia's most iconic natural wonders, click here.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, News, Citizen Reef