Let’s all be candid. We know Leonardo DiCaprio has deserved an Oscar since essentially the beginning of time. What made this night so momentous for me was not an absolutely amazing actor (I’d even dare to say my hands down favorite) winning his first award in a category he should have been dominating for many years now, but rather the words he spoke afterward.
“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.”
I fell to the ground. (I’m not kidding, I have witnesses.) This amazing man, this artist of the screen, who has been deprived an award of excellence he has so much deserved for so very long, took his moment of glory to talk about the importance of climate change and how desperately this planet needs our love, support and action right this very moment.
Just think about how you would feel in that moment walking in Leonardo DiCaprio’s fabulous shoes. Would you be thinking about climate change? About how important man’s impact and relationship on the natural world truly is? How, despite what critics and skeptics may say, 2015 was the hottest year on record? Or would you be thinking about how happy you are to see the end of your sad Oscar-less memes all over social media?
This is not a political issue, a government issue, or a social issue. This is a life issue. Climate change and human impact on the earth personally affects each and every one of us every single day, and the longer we ignore it the larger the implications become. Isn’t it terrifying that one day who won an Oscar may not matter because we don’t have a planet possible of supporting human life, or any life at all frankly? Not much time to worry about who Best Supporting Actress when you have to be concerned about an increase of natural disasters and a complete alteration of the climate, and essentially our livelihoods.
If you won’t listen to scientists, environmentalist, and the educated and passionate citizens who care so deeply about protecting this planet then maybe you will listen to Jack Dawson, Frank Abagnale Jr., Cobb, Jay Gatsby, Jordan Belfort and Hugh Glass. Inform yourself, think environmentally and act sustainably, ask questions and understand why the only time is now to realize the mistakes we have made in the care of our planet and to step forward, accept our failures, and begin to fix our ways.
“Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted. Thank you so very much.” –Leonardo DiCaprio
