Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have been slammed for “greenwashing” after creating the Phoenix Species Project, a global initiative launching with a $200M commitment to help save 100 of the world’s most threatened species.
Funding will be split between the Bezos Earth Fund and Re, the organization co-founded by DiCaprio and Dr. Wes Sechrest. And while many fans think the initiative is a great thing for endangered animals, others couldn’t help but call out the hypocrisy, given the pair have faced a lot of criticism over the years over their high-carbon lifestyles. Keep reading for more details…
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What Is Jeff Bezos And Leonardo DiCaprio's Phoenix Species Project?
The Phoenix Species Project, launched by the Amazon billionaire, 62, and the Oscar-winning actor, 51, who have developed a close friendship over the years, will focus on helping endangered species recover across 30 countries. The project will work with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, scientists, and conservationists to support long-term conservation efforts.
According to reports, rather than simply providing short-term funding, the project plans to support conservation efforts over several years and track whether animal populations are growing, and whether the threats they face are decreasing. While the project is intended to help some of the world's most endangered animals, its launch has already sparked criticism from people who believe the environmental message doesn't match the pair's past environmental controversies...
Bezos has faced particular criticism over his environmental record, especially after he reportedly halted funding for a climate group last year. DiCaprio has also faced backlash over his approach to environmental activism, with his use of private jets and partying on yachts being a real concern among critics.
Social Media Slams Bezos And DiCaprio As Hypocrites: 'Literally Part Of The Problem'
For some fans, the issue is less about the conservation project itself and more about whether the two men are in a position to promote themselves as environmental champions given their history, leading to accusations of "greenwashing" and more…
"Is this a joke?" asked one Instagram user. "That is just the most greenwashing thing I have read this week! What a time we are living in when the rich pretend to save the world when in fact they are the ones destroying this planet," commented a second, as a third slammed: "Jeff Bezos is literally part of the problem."
"Here is the hypocrisy," wrote a fourth, as a fifth echoed: "I hope this is the truth... As Bezos is the farthest thing from an environmentalist." "Maybe if they didn't build so many Amazon warehouses and data centers, we wouldn't be losing so much wildlife," thought a sixth, as a seventh agreed: "Greenwashing. Maybe stop building data centers and Amazon warehouses and selling products that pollute in production end up as landfill?"
"I hear they'll be taking one private jet and yacht together instead of one each to the events! Great news!" quipped a seventh, as an eighth thought they were "trying to sanitize their images." "Obvious PR stunt, but a win for ecology," declared a ninth.
Leonardo DiCaprio Has Faced Similar Backlash Before
The One Battle After Another actor has long been known for his environmental activism, but his efforts have also been met with criticism when fans believe his lifestyle contradicts the message he promotes.
He faced criticism at the end of last year when he recorded and shared a video ahead of COP30, a global climate summit taking place in Brazil, on behalf of an environmental organization to announce the donation of funds and encourage world leaders to better protect the planet and the rainforest. However, it didn't go down well on social media, as many people questioned how seriously they should take his environmental message given his association with luxury travel and his friendship with Bezos.
"Leo, are you going to fly to this conference on your private jet?" asked one Instagram user at the time. "Did he film this from his diesel chugging super yacht?" asked a second, as a third echoed: "They are probably gassing up his yacht while he's making the PSA."
"Give it up, Leo," wrote a fourth, as a fifth said: "Practice what you preach." "Bro has flown private jets all his life and wants you to stop emitting co2," noted a sixth.
