When Leonardo DiCaprio took his climate change battle to the White House on Monday, he awesomely took a moment to shade would-be political leaders—including GOP nominee Donald Trump—who refuse to acknowledge humans' impact on the planet. While speaking with President Barack Obama and scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe as part of the South by South Lawn festival, the recent Oscar winner kept it astutely 💯 when it comes to those who are really out here acting like facts aren't facts. Also, dude announced he's straight up going to Mars.
DiCaprio, who appeared at the festival to premiere his new documentary Before the Flood, opened the discussion by outlining the dire need for electing politicians and leaders who truly get it. "This film was developed to show the devastating impact that climate change is having on our planet and more importantly what can be done," DiCaprio explained. "Our intention for the film was for it to be released before this upcoming election because, after experiencing firsthand the devastating impacts of climate change worldwide, we, like many of you here today, realize that urgent action must be taken."
But simply acknowledging scientific fact is not enough, DiCaprio warned. "We must empower leaders who not only believe in climate change but are willing to do something about it," he said. "The scientific consensus is in, and the argument is now over. If you do not believe in climate change, you do not believe in facts, or science, or empirical truths. Therefore, in my humble opinion, [you] should not be allowed to hold public office."
Later on in the discussion, DiCaprio casually announced that he's officially signed up for an Elon Musk-crafted trip to Mars. Dr. Hayhoe, joking about taking the human struggle to another planet, questioned the sanity of the Mars trip's early cosigners. "As long as we haven't signed up for that trip to Mars," Dr. Hayhoe joked. "I don't want to know if anyone has. I think you're crazy." DiCaprio, sensing the time was right for an announcement, then admitted his Martian aspirations: "I did," he said.
Planet-hopping with Leonardo DiCaprio and Elon Musk? I'm down.
