Last month in Paris
World leaders reached a historic agreement
that provides concrete framework
to reduce carbon emissions
This was an important first step
but we are a long way off from claiming victory
in the fight for our future
for the survival of our planet
The Paris agreement was a call to action
but it is now up to all of us
to build this progress with ingenuity and a commitment to change
Together we are fighting to preserve our fragile climate
from irreversible damage and devastation
of unthinkable proportions
In Greenland and in the Arctic
I was astonished to see
that ancient glaciers are rapidly disappearing
well ahead of scientific models
In India I have met farmers who have seen their crops
their very livelihood
literally washed away by historic flooding
There's no doubt to the world scientific community
that this is a direct result
of human activity
and the effects of climate change
will become astronomically worse in the future
That those who deny the reality of climate change
will also find themselves
less economically successful
We simply cannot afford
to allow the corporate greed
of the coal, oil and gas industries
to determine the future of humanity
Last week, President Obama told those who
continue to deny
the irrefutable science behind climate change
"They will find themselves increasingly lonely...
...in the swell of voices calling for action"
Those entities with a financial interest
in preserving this descructive system
have denyed and even covered up
the evidence of our changing climate
Enough is enough.
You know better, the world knows better
history will place the blame for this devestation
squarely at their feet
Our planet cannot be saved
unless we leave fossil fuels in the ground where they belong
Professor Mark Jacobson
and a team of researchers
at Stanford University
have proven
that we can meet the world's total energy demand
by using existing, renewable technology by 2050
To make that potential a reality
we need the collective will and conviction
of political, business and philanthropic leaders
like all of you
This transition is not only the right thing for our world
it makes clearn economic sense
and it is possible within our lifetime
A shift of this magnitude
will save nearly $42 trillion in global energy costs
while creating 20 million jobs
Over the last several years
organizations and individuals
worth $3.8 trillion
have already committed
to divest their fossil fuel holdings
and replace them with new investments
in clean, renewable energy projects
And leaders like
Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos
have already pledged to help
build a zero emissions future
I ask you to join them
because if we all do our part
and act with bold leadership
we can achieve major, meaningful progress
It is not only an inevitable transition
it is also imperative for the future of our planet
15 years ago, today
I developed my foundation to focus on these critical issues
3% of all philanthropic giving
goes towards the protection of our only home,
Planet Earth
I'm pleased to announce today
a $15 million grant
in new commitment from the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation (LDF)
to fast-track
cutting-edge, sustainability and conservation projects around the world
So much can be done if we all work together
With your help
we can quickly identify and fund
the most innovative and effective projects
of the greatest potential
to avert the crisis we face
As I look across this room
I'm optimistic
That our ability to convene the most significant
and influential minds of the planet
can result in the global transition necesary
to protect both our society
and our natural world
The challenges before us
require each and every one of us to take action
wield this to ourselves
But more importantly
we owe it to future generations
who are counting on all of us
Thank you all very much and thank you for this great honour.
-inspirational music-
Generosity is the key to our future.
-end of music-