Leonardo DiCaprio: Trump Ignoring Climate Change Has Devastating Consequences

NEW HAVEN, CT — Actor and longtime environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio closed a two-day climate change conference at Yale University with a plea for people to think long-term when it comes to the environment, both for the sake of the planet and for the future of America's economy.

"While climate change didn’t cause these storms we are seeing right now it is without a doubt, in the scientific community, making them more extreme and more destructive," he said, referencing Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and soon Maria that have caused untold billions in damage over the past few weeks.

The Kerry Initiative at the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University hosted a two-day climate change conference. Speakers and panelists included former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, California Gov. Jerry Brown, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, General Electric Chair of the Board Jeffrey Immelt and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Former U.S. Secretary of State and Yale alumnus John Kerry served as a moderator.

DiCaprio said his foundation met with then President-elect Donald Trump in December with a plan on how America could tackle climate change and at the same time capitalize on the massive economic opportunity from green technology.

Since then Trump has appointed Scott Pruitt, who denies humans have a hand in climate change, to head the Environmental Protection Agency. DiCaprio said he still believes the U.S. can be a leader when it comes to taking on climate change.

"We can only hope the president sees it too before it is too late for all of us,” he said.

DiCaprio also criticized Florida Gov. Rick Scott for his belief that humans don't have a hand in climate change. A policy not to use the terms "climate change" and "global warming" at Florida Department of Environmental Protection took place after Scott was elected governor.

"Today residents of his state are rebuilding from devastation that could’ve been significantly less if the state government was busy working for a solution rather than banning words," he said.

DiCaprio has been a longtime advocate for environmental protection. He established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 which focuses on issues including conservation of wildlands and the ocean, climate change and indigenous rights, according to the foundation's website.

DiCaprio also serves on the board for several organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund. In 2016 DiCaprio had a private meeting with Pope Francis where the two talked about environmental concerns.

The actor is known for portraying many characters across several genres and won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Hugh Glass in "The Revenant."

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