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DiCaprio Denies Accusations About Funding Fires in Amazon Rainforest

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By Hadassa Kalatizadeh

Leonardo DiCaprio seems to have more than paparazzi to worry about.

President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has accused the 45-year-old Hollywood actor and environmentalist of funding the fires that have recently ran rampant in the Amazon rainforest. On Saturday, Mr. DiCaprio made a statement dismissing the President’s false accusations, and reaffirming his backing for the cause. “At this time of crisis for the Amazon, I support the people of Brazil working to save their natural and cultural heritage,” Mr. DiCaprio wrote on Instagram. “They are an amazing, moving and humbling example of the commitment and passion needed to save the environment.”

As reported by the NY Times, on Friday, the Brazilian president alluded to social media posts alleging that the World Wildlife Fund, an international environmental organization, had paid for images taken by volunteer firefighters during the disastrous fires. Without proof, he alleged that the organization used the images to seek out donations, including a $500,000 contribution from Mr. DiCaprio. “Cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon,” Mr. Bolsonaro said, referring to DiCaprio.

Bolsonaro’s comments followed the arrest of four members of the Alter do Chão fire brigade on Tuesday. The men were accused of starting the fires with the intent of taking pictures and publicizing them to solicit donations. Various politicians and outside organizations condemned the arrests, saying it was yet another attempt by the far-right president to undermine these groups.

Mr. Bolsonaro has frequently criticized activist and environmentalist groups over their concern for the Amazon fires. He has said that “everything indicates” that the organizations were starting the fires, but he has never offered any proof.

In DiCaprio’s statement, he also denied having supported the organization under attack. “While worthy of support, we did not fund the organizations targeted.” He said he was proud to stand by the groups protecting “these irreplaceable ecosystems.” He said he remains “committed to supporting the Brazilian indigenous communities, local governments, scientists, educators and general public who are working tirelessly to secure the Amazon for the future of all Brazilians.”

On Wednesday, the World Wildlife Fund also made a statement denying having received a donation from DiCaprio or obtaining photos from the firefighters.

Back in August, Leonardo DiCaprio’s non-profit organization, Earth Alliance, had announced a new emergency fund for the Amazon rainforest, pledging an initial $5 million to the cause, in response to the fires ravaging the area. The money will “focus critical resources for indigenous communities and other local partners working to protect the life-sustaining biodiversity of the Amazon”, a statement read. His foundation aims to “protect the world’s last wild places”, and he has been an outspoken advocate for combating climate change, which he says is what is causing the deforestation of the Amazon. DiCaprio was one of several high-profile people who shared inaccurate or misleading photos of the blazes in the summer. While the Amazon was ablaze, several celebrities and politicians shared images on social media urging support for the rainforest, but some of those photos were outdated or from locations other than the Amazon.

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