That is what's so ironic about this feeding frenzy of criticism over ABC's choice of Leonardo to discuss climate and energy issues with President Clinton. Leo actually knows more about these subjects than most of the reporters I've encountered."

From the LA Times...February 22nd, 1999
Leonardo talks about the protests over filming of his movie, The Beach..

He called the protests "a big waste of time. A lot of energy that people are expending toward this could be put to something of actual use. There are a million important environmental issues going on throughout the world right now, in Thailand and the areas around where we're filming. That this is getting so much focus. . . . " He shook his head dispiritedly. Still, the incident has filled him with resolve. Noting that he had donated money to environmental charities before, including a project to save gorillas in Rwanda, he added: "This year I'm really going to do some big things as far as the environment is concerned. I'm going to become a lot more active."

How did Earth Day begin?

Earth Day began back in 1970 when US Senator and Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson decided to bring environmental issues to the forefront in his country, stating , "The objective (of Earth Day) was to organize a national demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda. It was a gamble, but it worked."

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or even bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Environment was a word that appeared much more often in spelling bees than on the evening news.

Earth Day 1970 turned that all around. Read more about EarthDay's history by clicking here.

The first Earth Day celebration took place on April 22nd, 1970 with massive demonstrations, rallies and protests.

Getting involved in Earth Day is important to everyone. If we don't look after our Mother Earth, how can she look after us? Don't sit back while others take charge...do it, and make it count for generations to come.

The following are some articles I have gathered regarding this major environmental event. One comment though, with Leonardo and the press there is a "love/hate relationship". I am dismayed at the undertone of some of these articles...

• NY Daily News:
  
  Leonardo DiCaprio could get some heat for participating in a special Earth Day edition of Time magazine, the newsweekly's "How to Save the Earth" issue due out April 17.
  
  Time has already charted a controversial course by allowing a major automaker, Ford, to be the issue's sole sponsor.
  
  And DiCaprio, star of the new movie "The Beach," has come under attack for the ecological havoc the production wreaked on a Thai island during filming.
  
  DiCaprio's sure doing penance at Time, insisting on writing his conservation-conscious essay "all by himself," a source said.
  
  He'll be joined by Bill Clinton, who's weighing in on the United Nations.
  
  "At this point, it's too early" to discuss the edition, said Time spokeswoman Debra Richman. "There will be a whole lot of surprises."
  
  But sources familiar with the blueprint for the fate-of-the-earth special said other contributors include environmentalist E.O. Wilson on biodiversity, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on saving the upstate New York watershed, journalist Mark Hertsgaard on the need for a "global green deal," and Whole Earth Cataloger Stewart Brand, plus an introduction from all-purpose Time Inc. pontificator Roger Rosenblatt.
  
  
• E! Online:
  3/22/00
  A Leo-Fueled Eco Campaign
  
  "There is a global emergency going on," Leonardo DiCaprio warns in his latest ego-, err, eco-logical campaign. The Hollywood heavyweight's latest role is supporting the green group EarthAction's campaign to convince people and politicians to abandon fossil fuels and switch to environmentally friendly energy sources. Fossil fuels, Leo and crew say, are just no good for Mother Nature. While some critics might find such sentiments ironic coming from the actor whose last film, The Beach, came under intense criticism from some ecological groups for allegedly trashing a Thai island during filming, EarthAction says Leo's as green as they come and he had nothing to do with any despoiling.
  
  "If there was a problem, that issue would be with the producers of the movie, as opposed to the actors," says Lois Barber, EarthAction's U.S. executive director. (In Leo's defense, he did release a statement during filming of The Beach saying he wouldn't stand for the kind of destruction the filmmakers were charged with.) In any event, DiCaprio's message today doesn't mention the fury over The Beach, it only says the whole planet stands to be damaged by global warming thanks to our slave-like devotion to fossil fuels. "The Earth is heating up and everyone's future is at risk. Please join us in sending a strong message to our governments that now is the time for action to prevent violent changes in our climate," he says.
  
  EarthAction says the aim of the campaign is to create an international alert network online where citizens can make their voices heard. Netizens are encouraged to urge their local governments to shift from fossil fuels to clean energy like solar power. The group hopes people will lobby their representatives before April 22--Earth Day--when millions are expected to converge on Washington, D.C. to promote the cause, with Leo himself will chairing the event.
  
  
• U.S. Newswire:
  3/23/00
  DiCaprio, Biodiesel to Power Earth Day
  
  DiCaprio, Biodiesel to Power Earth Day Events in Washington, D.C. To: National Desk, Environment and Feature Reporters Contact: Gina DeLuca, 202-737-8400 WASHINGTON, March 22 /U.S. Newswire/ --
  
  Earth Day organizers this morning proudly announced two of the powerful forces behind the huge April 22 Earth Fair 2000 gathering on the Mall in Washington, D.C.: Leonardo DiCaprio, who will chair the flagship event, and the alternative fuel biodiesel, which will power most of it. No word yet on who will get top billing. A clean-burning fuel, biodiesel is scheduled to provide approximately 85 percent of Earth Fair 2000's power needs, including hundreds of exhibits and the music stage with James Taylor and other stars. Earth Fair organizers will use biodiesel and other alternative energy sources to model central components of a clean energy future and demonstrate other ways to create a sustainable event as well as a sustainable world.
  
  Biodiesel is made from a variety of sources -- primarily soybean oil. It's less toxic than table salt and as biogradable as sugar. Biodiesel reduces virtually all harmful emissions and has a pleasant odor -- commonly compared to popcorn or french fries. The use of biodiesel has soared in the past year following changes in the federal Energy Policy Act that encourage vehicle fleets to use the alternative fuel. Biodiesel already is used extensively in Europe to reduce diesel engine emissions. As regular petroleum-based diesel fuel prices soar to more than $2 a gallon and soybean commodity prices decrease, biodiesel is becoming increasingly cost competitive. Recent prices for some bulk purchases of biodiesel actually have been lower than petroleum diesel prices. But biodiesel's environmental benefits are the primary reason behind its choice to power Earth Fair 2000.
  
  In addition to dramatically reducing diesel emissions that cause health concerns, biodiesel can contribute significantly to the fight against global warming -- it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent compared to petroleum diesel. "Choosing biodiesel to power Earth Day events is a natural," said Joe Jobe, executive director of the National Biodiesel Board, which promotes biodiesel commercialization. "The groundwork is laid for biodiesel use to skyrocket. And with this push from Earth Fair 2000, I guess you can say that the stars are aligned to make it happen."