Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos are collaborating to support the Protecting Our Planet (POP) Challenge, which aims to invest $200mn over the next four years in the Brazilian government's initiatives to protect the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous communities, "People" reports.
DiCaprio, through his organization Re:wild, which focuses on rewilding, expressed his enthusiasm for Brazil's ambitious conservation goals for the Amazon. Bezos, through his Bezos Earth Fund, an initiative dedicated to fighting climate change, shares the commitment to preserving this critical ecosystem.
The Protecting Our Planet Challenge's primary objectives include eradicating deforestation in the Amazon, permanently safeguarding approximately 145mn acres of public lands, strengthening the management of existing protected areas, and upholding the rights of indigenous guardians in the Brazilian Amazon. Spanning multiple countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, the Amazon is home to millions of species and over 400 indigenous groups. However, 17% of the forest has already been lost, with scientists warning of catastrophic consequences if deforestation reaches 20-25%.
This joint effort, along with the goal of zero deforestation, aligns with Brazil's aspirations for a sustainable and green economy. DiCaprio, a renowned environmentalist, has previously advocated for environmental causes, such as calling for a halt to oil and gas drilling in Africa's Okavango River Basin. The actor, along with Prince Harry, Forest Whitaker, Djimon Hounsou, and leading conservationists, urged immediate action to protect the region, highlighting the importance of safeguarding ecosystems for the well-being of all life on Earth.
The partnership between DiCaprio and Bezos signifies a significant step towards preserving Amazon and combating climate change, demonstrating the influential role that public figures and organizations can play in safeguarding our planet's natural resources.
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