Ripe's video: Leonardo Dicaprio Pledges 5 Million to Protect Amazon Rainforest

As wildfires in the Amazon continue raging, world governments and private organizations alike are taking action. On Sunday, Leonardo DiCaprio pledged $5 million to help protect the rainforest through Earth Alliance, an environmental group DiCaprio co-chairs. For DiCaprio, the crisis in the Amazon represents the latest front in the battle against global warming. The Earth Alliance website explains the stakes: "The destruction of the Amazon rainforest is rapidly releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, destroying an ecosystem that absorbs millions of tonnes of carbon emissions every year and is one of the planet's best defenses against the climate crisis." DiCaprio’s pledge also included a call to action for the wider public. In an Instagram post explaining his move, the actor urged his 34 million followers to donate to Earth Alliance’s emergency fund both to fight the Amazon wildfires and to protect indigenous communities there. The international community is also stepping in to help. On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged $22 million in aid from the G-7 nations: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has come under fire internationally for his seeming reluctance to act against the spate of fires. He condemned the G-7’s involvement, claiming the group’s discussions exclude the nations directly affected by the crisis. “The French President’s suggestion that Amazonian issues be discussed at the G-7 without the participation of the countries of the region evokes a misplaced colonialist mindset in the 21st century,” Bolsonaro said on Twitter. Ripe is a U.S. media production company dedicated to telling plant-based, vegan, and environmental stories. ​ ​We only produce original digital video content including TV series, documentaries, breaking & current news, and exclusive interviews with industry leaders. ​ It is our promise to provide you with informative, entertaining, and well produced content on all things plant-based, vegan and environmental. You can watch our shows, news, interviews, and documentaries directly on our website, Facebook and YouTube channel. We are 100% independently funded out of pocket with no big backers, angel investors, or secret sponsorship fees... ​With warm regards, ​​The Ripe Team SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/ripewatch CHECK US OUT: Ripewatch.com FOLLOW RIPE: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ripewatch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripewatch Twitter: https://twitter.com/ripewatch