It’s a pairing we can’t quite imagine, but Leonardo DiCaprio has met with US President-elect Donald Trump to discuss how jobs centred on preserving the environment can boost the economy.
The pair, along with the head of Leo’s foundation, met at Trump Tower in New York where Leo gave a presentation to the President-elect, his daughter Ivanka and other members of Trump’s team.
Terry Tamminen, the CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, said the talk demonstrated how focusing on renewable, clean energy could create millions of jobs.
He said: “Today, we presented the President-elect and his advisers with a framework — which LDF developed in consultation with leading voices in the fields of economics and environmentalism — that details how to unleash a major economic revival across the United States that is centred on investments in sustainable infrastructure.
“Our conversation focused on how to create millions of secure, American jobs in the construction and operation of commercial and residential clean, renewable energy generation.”
The Oscar-winning actor has been a strong advocate of fighting climate change and preserving wildlife, and his recent documentary, Before The Flood, addresses the peril that the world faces because of climate change.
Leo previously met with Ivanka and presented her with a copy of the film.
The meeting with Trump’s team lasted for about 90 minutes. The actor also gave the President-elect a copy of the documentary, and Trump apparently promised to watch it.
Tamminen, who was secretary of California’s Environmental Protection Agency under former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, said Trump was receptive and suggested they meet again next month.
“We look forward to continuing the conversation with the incoming administration as we work to stop the dangerous march of climate change, while putting millions of people to work at the same time,” said Tamminen.
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