Thursday, September 25, 2014

A Message from Leonardo DiCaprio

(Comments due by Oct 4, 2014)




23 comments:

Anonymous said...

United Nations messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio gave a insightful speech on climate change. The speech was a wake up call to the world. It was not only for the United Nations, but the seven billion people on the planet as well. He addresses the audience: "This disaster has gone beyond the choices individuals make." He is referring to climate change. The seriousness of this admission, we are at the point where governments need to step in. The best line from the speech was at the end: "Honored delegates. Leaders of the world. I pretend for a living, but you do not." He allows the audience to put themselves in his shoes, by telling them he pretends for a living. Brilliantly he reminds the audience that they do not. I think this will help any audience consider the seriousness climate change has become.

-Frazer Winsted

Unknown said...

I"M SO GLAD THIS WAS POSTED!!!
Leonardo DiCaprio is the man for his words and action last week. After marching with more than 400,000 individuals at the history-making People’s Climate March on the streets of Manhattan, Leonardo DiCaprio urged world leaders at the United Nations Climate Summit to take action.
More importantly, his analogies and requests for actions were so on point. Contrasting himself to the world leaders he was speaking he just short of shamed them into taking action; And justly so. There needs to way more political action in favor of the environment and I'm so happy we have Leonardo DiCaprio as a spokesmen.

Anonymous said...

Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job of not only addressing the people in the room, but any watching his speech. By opening by saying the he is "not an expert, but a concerned citizen" gives people more motivation to act on the climate change. By relating himself to the common person, his viewers are more likely to be encouraged to participate in stopping the climate change as well. He mentions how he walked with the people of New York City, and how he is not anyone with an expert view on the issues, but that he is aware. DiCaprio did not use his riches or acting to do these things, which may inspire others to take action as well. It is good to see someone with so much fame putting their own publicity to good use.

Jennifer Hare

Anonymous said...

So much of what DiCaprio is talking about does stem from Prof.'s point in class that problems in the environment are subsidiary issues to the fact that our economy and all its effects are simply no good for the planet. On many levels its true that the issue has "gone beyond the choices individuals make", but this does not mean that individuals are no longer the ones with freedom to fight for change and make it happen. DiCaprio is speaking to change the minds of individuals that will go on and fight to change economic policy, e.g. the ones he marched with at the People's Climate March. He not only exposes the truth industrial polluters are causing irreversible damage with no mind to creating a better, less harmful system, but that solutions are readily available once the world is ready for them.


Micaela Itona

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I love the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio is an environmentalist; I love the fact that he's on our side. He understands that it's difficult for people who genuinely believe that climate change is a problem to be heard. As Frazer mentioned, Leo is 100% aware of the fact that climate change is a huge issue that needs to be noticed, and that the people that he is speaking to do not pretend for a living; rather, they help to make things happen. He's using his voice to plea to the people who have the power to help him spread the word and do something about a major issue. It's important for a person like him to be on our side, and I'm glad that he is.

-E. Piper Phillips

Anonymous said...

I always felt that the way to get people to listen to you is to have a prominent face to your cause. Despite a lot of the policies the Tea Party stands for, they figured out early on that the only way to have some type of legitimate position in politics, you must have a famous face or politician fight your cause. And they have succeeded at that. I feel that Leonardo DiCaprio is (one of) the face(s) for the climate change movement. He's said nothing different then what we hear from our professors in class, or on blogs from those educated on the subject. But the face of Leonardo DiCaprio, let's face it, is going to help a lot. I applaud him for using his celebrity clout to speak before the UN as a concerned citizen, and not as a biased star in Hollywood. He made many good points in his speech that was just under 4 minutes, especially the points made about putting a price tag on carbon emissions and eliminating government subsidies on coal and gas. It's time for our government to stop rewarding such irresponsible behavior, and start putting our climate change rhetoric to good use!

-Patrice Purnell

Apoorva said...

With Leonardo DiCaprio advocating Climate Change at a much more aggressive level, we can go many places in that aspect. Every word in the 3 minute speech resonates as far as everyone on this planet can hear. It is very vital that we stop pretending like nothing is changing around us. The climate is constantly changing and we can't just deem it as global warming anymore, because climate change is a much much bigger issue than just the arctic melting. We all need consider the gravity of the situation and this speech is the perfect wake up call for the people who are living in denial that everything is as it should be.

Anonymous said...

Leonardo DiCaprio is a recognizable face. He is an actor beloved in many homes around the world, that is why it is so beneficial to the environmentalist community that he is taking a stand against Climate Change. He suggests that there is not denying and there is no more believing that it is "fictional". Climate Change is real and is here to stay unless we, as a WORLD, make a movement. Leonardo speaking about this issue is the huge step in the right direction.
-Nicole Virgona

Anonymous said...

Leonardo DiCaprio's speech is a message to the world, specifically to the leaders of the world whose countries are in danger of the destruction of climate change. This is an issue that everyone needs to be aware of and have belief in, before anything will change. These speeches from famous individuals with a large outreach, like DiCaprio, are one of the first steps in many to get people to realize that this is actually a problem. I commend DiCaprio for stepping forward and using his fame and his outreach as an icon to support this movement and try to raise awareness. Without all efforts from everyone in this movement, it will be impossible to invoke change.

Leanna Molnar

Anonymous said...

Leonardo DiCaprio really said it right "We need to put a price tag on carbon emissions and eliminate carbon subsidies for oil, coal, and gas companies." Its just like we have been talking about in class. These companies need to be forced to pay for the damage they are creating. it is well beyond the point where peoples small acts alone can make a difference. He does a great job almost scaring the crowd with "You can make history or you will be vilified by it."

Nick Stanton

Anonymous said...

It is really amazing to see such an influential public figure comment on outrcurrent climate crisis. Mr. DeCaprio hit the nail right on the head throughout the speech removing any room for speculation as to whether the issue is factual- the elevating global temperature is no longer debatable. We are so concerned with the current state of the economy yet as DeCaprio said, without the ecosystem there would be no economy whatsoever.

I am really pleased he mentioned moving away from concentrating on individualized responsibility and choice and towards a collective movement involving both government and industry. This is probably the most important aspect in addressing the current climate crisis and by putting the responsibility on individuals it is taking the focus off the real issue.

The people have the unalienable right to have healthy lives in a healthy environment and the future human survival is currently in jeopardy.

- Elizabeth Eggimann

Chelsea Dow said...

I find it inspiring to see celebrities using their immense power and influence to project an imperative message to society. Specifically, Leonardo DiCaprio's message was one of importance. In class and in the readings we have discussed this idea of tax shifts and subsidy changes. I 100% agree that we need to go beyond hybrid cars and focus on the economic system. Indeed, we have entered a time when large scale change is needed. Supporting renewable energy and decreasing subsidies for oil and gas is imperative to changing our current economic system to a sustainable one. At the very least we have to start including all forms of prices in the market, thus including the environmental effects of such non renewable sources. This was a discussion that needed to be brought to the public and I'm thrilled Leonardo DiCaprio was able to capture its severity.

-Maria-Vitoria Bernardes said...

WOW, I was really impressed on Leonardo DiCaprio's speech on climate change. I would have never known that he would be so knowledgeable and passionate about the concerns going on in our world. He makes a comparison on how he is an actor and what he doe for a living is pretend, and how we as a nation can't continue to pretend that climate change is occurring. He makes a point on how "This disaster has gone beyond the choices individuals make". We are far beyond that and that as a nation a change needs to be made. He notes on how if actions aren't taken our lives are in sever danger. I really enjoyed watching this and think that Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job at getting his point across ,listening to him moved me and made me want to be an activist in the environmental movement.

Anonymous said...

It is so inspiring to see such a popular and well-known figure speak out against climate change. As he says in his speech, Leonardo DiCaprio pretends for a living. Yet the people he is addressing, the politicians and government officials present at the United Nations meeting, don't play pretend. They have the power to "make history or be vilified by it." He makes the most important point in his speech by saying that we as a nation need to stop giving tax breaks and subsidies to coal, oil, and gas companies and need to start focusing on the larger issues at larger levels: focusing on global economic reform in favor of sustainability and not just focusing on sustainability at the individual level.
-Marrina Gallant

Anonymous said...

Leonardo DiCaprio's speech couldn't have been better. He made excellent points, supported them with facts and directly addressed the people who have the power to help make a change. My favorite quote of his is "This disaster has gone beyond the choices individuals make." I agree that the people have already voiced their opinions and have been for decades. However, we have yet to see any substantial changes in policy. Climate change is a universal threat, therefore as a global community we need to unite an tackle this issue together.
-Emma Weis

Anonymous said...

Leonardo DiCaprio's speech points out the obvious and is a call to action. He is right that a lot of people in the past thought that climate change was not real. Most people have come to realize that climate change is real, but i also believe there are people who still don't think it is a big problem. I like that he points out the facts and and says that it is time to change. He understands that it can't just be band-aid fixes, that they need to be permanent fixes. He states the truth and calls the leaders to action for serious change because in the end it will be a better world. We might have to make changes that make us uncomfortable and are foreign to us but in the end the foreign will be better than the current known. I really liked his speech he cuts out all the lies and competition and places climate change in the category it should have always been in: a human kind problem.

Mikayla Bonnett

Unknown said...

I always get a little weary seeing celebrities endorsing or as an ambassador for certain causes, especially because it's never for certain what experience they really have with whatever they are speaking about. However, Leo has proven himself to be the real deal.

This speech is a powerful one, and the optimist in me would love to think it will make a difference around the world - that people will take this issue seriously, and that as individuals, we are responsible for our own actions and we need to own up to what we've done. But, the pessimist in me just likes to laugh and say it's just another speech.

The fight against climate change will not be an easy one, and that's what scares people away.

Brianna Connelly said...

I have watched many climate change documentaries, some which believe in it and come that do not. However, I fully do believe in the evidence that does support it, there is no doubt in my mind that it exists. I found Leo's speech inspiring and coming from him I think more people in society will be willing to tune in and listen. If more celebrities with his power spoke out, I think more people would join in this fight against climate change if people they look up to were to push them in that direction.

Brianna Connelly

Unknown said...

For one thing, I never knew that Leonardo DiCaprio was such an insightful speaker on such a topic. I really liked how he talked about climate change being a DISASTER. It has been a disaster that has not been cleaned up. Calling it this gave it a much more important picture that climate change needs to be fixed. He says it is not about buying a hybrid car or changing lightbulbs, which is what the market wants people to think so they can spend more money, but he talks about all the destructive changes that has happened: methane gas escape out from the ocean floor, ice caps melting, etc. I feel there was no better face to make this speech than Leonardo. People can listen to him and hear what has to be said. Also, when he put this label of DISASTER on climate change, it made me relate it to the hurricane Sandy that destroyed our east coast. When that happened, moves were made in order to start the cleanup, some faster than others. But now it is time to make a better move and make a serious difference with cleaning up this disaster called climate change. We MUST make a change and we MUST go now because there is NO time left.

--Michael Tierney

Anonymous said...

I really like that Leonardo di Caprio spoke out on this topic. Unfortunately many important issues do not resonate with the general public unless a popular figure takes a stance on it. The fact that he stresses the immediate need to make changes to our lifestyles and systems is perfect. Something like this, calling the environmental crisis what it is and making it sound as dangerous and of high priority, as it is, is exactly what the world needs in this time. We can not afford to ignore he facts any longer we need to make changes to the world and how we live in it in order to save it and preserve it for the future generations. Leonardo clearly feels strongly and is well educated on the topic, which is a pleasant surprise. I hope this urges his fans and other people to consider making changes to their lifestyles as well as urging other public figures to speak to their fanbases as well.

-Haylei P

Dylan Hirsch said...

Leonardo DiCaprio made a great speech with a great message; climate change is not only real, but it is happening now. With his significant social stature and influence, we need voices like his to speak out against those in government and society whom deny climate science on the basis of their own self interest. The message he conveys is nothing deniable on any moral, academic, and economic grounds.

Gian Joseph said...

Leanardo DiCaprio said it right guys. This problem is not one that we have a choice of fixing. It is a problem that we must fix in order to ensure hum survival, the survival and well being of every individual. I feel like the countries who aren't experiencing the effects of climate change as much as others directly feeling them are reluctant to pass any laws governing the destruction of our planet. I feel like these countries aren't going to take anything serious until they see their own people suffering, countries like China, United States, or even India who refuse to switch over to green energy because they feel that it is not fair that they have to stop their industrialization. There is an island country called the Maldives, it is literally being engulfed by the sea as climate change causes rising sea levels. This country is sinking but at last years climate change summit, none of our fellow countries cared enough to get anything done about climate change. I find this sad.

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