Apart from having an illustrious acting career, Leonardo DiCaprio has also been a strong environmental activist. In fact, he previously criticized POTUS for pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Now, in a recent social media post, he urged his followers to oppose a proposed bill that would weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
ESA Amendments Act could “devastate vulnerable species”, says Leonardo DiCaprio
In an Instagram post, the actor requested his followers to reach out to their representatives and convince them to vote no on the legislation, which he considers a threat to wildlife and a move that prioritizes lifting environmental protections for monetary gains. He posted this message on Earth Day 2026.
“Today, on Earth Day of all days, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote to gut the Endangered Species Act (ESA), trading the future of life on Earth for the short-term economic gain of a wealthy few,” he wrote.
The proposed legislation, the ESA Amendments Act, could weaken habitat protections and dismantle key parts of the original law, according to its critics. He further stated in his post that the ESA was signed into law during the Nixon administration and ensured the protection of ecosystems that sustain human life on the planet. However, he noted that the proposed amendment would undo decades of progress.
“The ESA was signed into law over 50 years ago by President Nixon after passing 92-0 in the Senate and 355-4 in the House, ensuring the safeguarding of species and ecosystems that sustain us. Today’s bill would devastate the most vulnerable species, which are essential to functioning ecosystems,” he further stated.
“Together with my organization, Re:wild, I urge the House to reject this existential threat to our national security and choose to protect and recover species, and defend the living systems we all depend on,” the actor added.
This isn’t new territory for The Aviator actor, as he is a long-time environmental activist and founder of conservation movements like Re:wild, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund, among others. Safe to say, the actor opposing a major environmental bill is consistent with his persona and environmental advocacy track record.
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