"Ever since I was a kid, environmental issues have sparked my interest."

Leonardo on Earth Day 2000

Teenbeat 1992

The 17-year old Leonardo talks about his interests

November 2001

Campaign against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

In November Leonardo got involved into a campaign to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge against oil drilling and exploitation. ANWR in Alasca is one the last big wilderness regions of the United States. George W. Bush and his government plan to use this region for industrial purposes and risk to destroy this unique ecologic system. There had been a campaign to write to members of the US Senate to vote against these plans. In a first voting in spring 2002 the Arctic protectors had been successful, but the last word has not been spoken yet.

September 2001

Leonardo´s new campaign: Save the Gorillas !

Yahoo Chat on September 27, 2001

Save the Gorillas - Chat with Leonardo DiCaprio and Sir Arthur C. Clarke

This is an un-authorized transcript.

April 2001

Leonardo has bought his hybrid car

Read the full report at Salon Com - April 21, 2001: Leo goes the Green Mile

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Earth Day 2000

Leonardo was Chairman of Earth Day 2000, which was focused on the problem of global warming. He had an interview with President Bill Clinton at the White House in which they discussed climate and energy issues and hold a lively speech on Earth Day, April 22, at the Mall in Washington D.C.

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November 17, 1999

Yahoo Webcast with Leonardo

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New York Times - April 16, 2000

How Leonardo became involved in environmental issues

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Time magazine Special Edition: Earth Day 2000

Leo´s Earthday Essay

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Leonardo´s Speech on April 22, 2000

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2 reports from Earth Day in Washington :

The Washington Post - April 22, 2000

The Washington Post - April 23, 2000

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Hello article - May 9, 2000

Leonardo at the White House

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Leonardo´s interview with President Clinton

March 31st, 2000 - the uncut transcript

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See Leonardo´s personal Earth Day pics !

from Leonardo´s Official Site

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Earth Day coordinator Dennis Hayes talks about his work with Leonardo for Earth Day 2000 in Dennis Hayes´ Earth Day Diary

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The Beach Controversy (1999)

Leonardo found himself in a hostile debate over environmental problems, allegedly caused by the filming of "The Beach". Thai environmentalists claimed the landscape of the pristine beach was damaged by the film crew, and DiCaprio´s fame made him a target. Thai activists and newspapers painted him as an ecovillain, when he has always been a contributor to environmental causes.

"Using my name obviously would bring more attention to Thai environmental issues generally", he said. "Absolutely nothing wrong was done to that island; the work the production did in fact improved its condition. If anything, our people took meticulous care with every little branch."

Honolulu Star-Bulletin - January 18, 2000

Leonardo´s Official Press Release - February 5, 1999

The Telegraph (UK) - March 13, 1999

The Toronto Sun - January 18, 2000

Leonardo DiCaprio gets help from environmentalists to settle 'Beach' dispute in Thailand

NRDC Press Release - April 18, 2000

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In 2000, during the filming of The Beach, Leonardo visited Sriwittaypaknam School in Thailand. Richard and his thaistundents followed the process of the shooting on Koh Phi Phi Leh Island and also sent some observers to the island.

The students built the most extensive Website for "The Beach" in the Web, which is amazing with tons photos, reports and articles and still worth a visit. Please go to Footsteps in the Beach !

Thanks a lot to Richard !

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Und noch 2 deutsche Artikel:

die tageszeitung (taz) - 22. März 1999

Rolling Stone - September 1999

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