wow ..I just learned something about Leonardo Dicaprio

[proud patriot]

Actor and NRDC Trustee Leonardo DiCaprio has championed environmental causes around the world for many years. Most recently, he was instrumental in funding the “e-Activism Zone” in NRDC's new Southern California green building.

Q. What motivated you to start speaking out for the environment?

A. Ever since I was a kid, environmental issues have sparked my interest. My grandfather, who lived in Germany, told me a story about an industrialist who owned the coal mine my grandfather worked in. When the town demanded that the mine owner build his smokestack high enough to prevent smoke and soot from overwhelming the town, he

reluctantly agreed. During construction, though, he proclaimed that the smokestack should not be built too high, as it would be a sacrilege if anything were built higher than the town's church steeple. And, of course, conveniently, it would save him money. Eventually, he lived to regret that decision. Not only did all his

workers get sick, including my grandfather, but he also ruined the ecology of the town. His shortsighted decision took into account only the monetary costs, but eventually he had to pay a much higher price -- the hidden environmental costs. This same story is taking place today on a much larger and more frightening scale the world over.

(snip)
http://www.nrdc.org/naturesvoice/feature5.asp

[jus_the_facts]

1. Cute....talented....and he thinks too.....

.....y e a h! :9

[brainshrub]

2. I suspect Leos environmetalism has more to do with

good publicity than concern for the environment.

But I'm suspicious of most Hollywood types.

[Bridget Burke]

5. He could get more publicity by:

* Dating Brittany Spears

* Announcing he'd out of Detox

* Punching out a papparazzo (singular of papparazzi?)

Maybe he really cares a bit; apparently he's been doing this for a while.

[brainshrub]

6. Good point.

Or maybe he could have been photographed outside a hospital with his mom, looking demure?

[Lostmessage]

3. I thought that he was Italian

He has to be a Democrat.

[northzax]

4. and last I heard he was even driving a prius

of course, he also flies in private jets, but you can't expect him to do everthing right.

[radwriter0555]

7. We see him around west hollywood in a GOLF cart of all things..

believe it or not.