Leonardo DiCaprio Attacks Big Oil's 'Corporate Greed' At Davos

"We simply cannot allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity."
Leonardo DiCaprio bashed the oil industry at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 19, 2016.
Leonardo DiCaprio bashed the oil industry at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 19, 2016.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Now that's an acceptance speech. Leonardo DiCaprio blasted the energy industry this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he received a Crystal Award for his environmental activism.

"We simply cannot allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity," he said at the podium.

The "Wolf of Wall Street" star denounced corporations that prioritize profits over the environment, saying, "Those entities with a financial interest in preserving this destructive system have denied and even covered up the evidence of our changing climate."

DiCaprio also railed against the fossil fuel industry, which he suggested could be shut down through collective intent.

"Our planet cannot be saved unless we leave fossil fuels in the ground where they belong. Twenty years ago, we described this problem as an addiction. Today, we possess the means to end this reliance,” he said.

The actor, who was named a "U.N. Messenger of Peace" with a special focus on climate change in 2014, also used his speech to announce that his foundation would make $15 million in new grants to support sustainability projects around the world. The five projects he committed to will monitor commercial fishing, protect the Indonesian rain forest, support indigenous people in Ecuador, protect reefs in the Seychelles and promote renewable energy in the U.S., according to Upworthy.

The other recipients of this year's Crystal Award were Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, rapper Will.i.am and Chinese actress Yao Chen.

Watch DiCaprio's speech below:

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