Leonardo DiCaprio’s Initiative ‘Earth Alliance’ Pledges $5 Million Donation for Amazon Rainforest Fires

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental initiative called Earth Alliance has pledged $5 million towards the preservation of the Amazon rain forest following the wildfires. The new organisation's emergency Amazon Forest Fund is working to support local partners and indigenous communities in their efforts to protect the sensitive habitats within the Amazon, reports variety.com. The funds will be donated to five local organizations. Leonardo DiCaprio Shares Photo of Thailand’s Marine Mammal ‘Mariam’ That Died Due to Plastic Waste in Stomach

According to the fund's website, more than 72,000 fires have been reported by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) - a sharp growth from 2018's 40,000 fires, which can largely be attributed to an unprecedented surge in deforestation by cattle operations and feed crops. The alarming wildfires have also sparked widespread outrage online, prompting a number of celebrities to use their social media platforms to raise awareness. Leonardo DiCaprio Jokes About His Favourite Dish with Cast of ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’

"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," DiCaprio had written on Instagram. Founded in July by DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs and Brian Sheth, Earth Alliance is a climate change organisation led by an independent management team of scientists and conservationists, working to protect ecosystems and wildlife, ensure climate justice, support renewable energy and secure indigenous rights.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2019 02:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).