Leonardo DiCaprio Said Climate Change is Real
In his Oscar acceptance speech, Leonardo DiCaprio took a moment to stress the importance of acknowledging — and taking action against — climate change:
“Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters, but who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people out there who would be most affected by this. For our children’s children, and for those people out there whose voices have been drowned out by the politics of greed.”
Temperature data for the start of 2016 highlights just how pressing the issue has become. January 2016 was the hottest month on record — until February came around and broke that record. On March 3rd, the average temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere have exceeded the 2-degree Celsius “above normal” threshold for the first time ever. Keep in mind, that 2-degree mark is generally accepted point at which climate change may become a serious threat to humanity — not to mention the many plants and animals endangered by the rising temperatures.
One contributing factor for the record temperature highs is the weather phenomenon known as El Nino. But overall climate change is also playing a role, as 2015 temperatures smashed the record set in 2014.
Climate change is on the rise, and it requires immediate action. Trying to force change from the top down, including treaties, legislation, and even tax incentives, can only do so much. Moving away from dependence on fossil fuels and other sources of carbon in the atmosphere requires people to willingly change their lifestyles — learning to reduce waste, reduce energy, and reduce our carbon footprints. It requires investing in green technology and mobilizing funds to fight climate change as well as help the most disadvantaged people across the planet adapt to the changes now.
For far too long, the misconception is that “going green” requires a sacrifice — whether it’s a business’s profitability (a myth long since debunked) or higher costs for energy-efficient and sustainable homes — which are increasingly more affordable and have other benefits, such as long-term savings on utilities and tax credits. Even in the financial space, about half of individual investors assume (incorrectly) that green investments produce a lower return.
Research shows that millennials in particular are most concerned about climate change — and motivated to do something about it. Millennials also now outnumber Baby Boomers and make up more than 1/4 of the U.S. population. They are a powerful force for fighting climate change, which means it’s important to offer products and services that cater to them — including financial products that fit their budgets and help mobilize funds for low-carbon investments. That’s where Carbon Xprint comes in, with a solution tailor made to appeal to consumers who are most concerned about taking action against climate change.
As Leo said at the end of his speech, “Let us not take this planet for granted.” It’s the only one we have — and we need to take action to protect it. It’s time to start thinking creatively about how to solve the problem of climate change.
