Climate change: Hollywood star attacks Oil & Gas industry at WEF

On Wednesday, US Hollywood actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, addressed a panel at the World Economic Forum (WEC), criticising the oil and gas industry of being consumed by greed, and having complete disregard for the real reality and impact of climate change.

Currently being hosted in Davos, Switzerland, the WEC has gathered heads of state, ministers and industry leaders from across the globe, where post COP21 discussions have resurfaced.

Accepting a crystal award for his persistent works in environmentalism, DiCaprio commented: “We simply cannot afford to allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity.

“Those entities with a financial interest in preserving this destructive system have denied, and even covered up the evidence of our changing climate.”

The three Golden Globe Awards winner, stressed: “Enough is enough. You know better. The world knows better. History will place the blame for this devastation squarely at their feet.”

He added: “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.”

Icons put impetus on clean energy

Following the theme of international icons influencing the energy sector, Senegalese-born US musician and co-founder of the Akon Lighting Africa initiative, Akon Thiam, presented his clean energy model to an audience at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) last week.

This project aims to bring solar powered electricity to 600 million Africans. The company’s efforts have to date been active in 14 countries on the continent.

In May last year, the project launched a solar academy aimed at giving African engineers and entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop solar power in Mali, West Africa.

The musician previously launched Akon Lighting Africa along with co-founders Thione Niang and Samba Baithily, aimed at bringing solar powered electricity to 600 million Africans. The company’s efforts have to date been active in 14 countries on the continent.