The Oscar-winning actor mobilized his 60 million Instagram followers to oppose H.R. 1897, a bill critics say would gut one of America’s most consequential conservation laws
Leonardo DiCaprio used Earth Day on Wednesday to mount one of his most direct political interventions yet — urging his 60 million Instagram followers to contact their U.S. House representatives and demand a “no” vote on legislation that would fundamentally weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The ESA is the United States’ primary federal law protecting species at risk of extinction and preserving the ecosystems that sustain them. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1973, the legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support — 92-0 in the Senate and 355-4 in the House.
Now, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025 (H.R. 1897) has been brought to the House floor for a vote. DiCaprio and conservation advocates argue the bill would effectively dismantle the law’s core protections — a charge that has ignited a fierce public debate.
In a detailed post published on Instagram, DiCaprio wrote: “Today, on Earth Day of all days, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote to gut the Endangered Species Act, trading the future of life on Earth for the short-term economic gain of a wealthy few.”
He continued: “Today’s bill would devastate the most vulnerable species, which are essential to functioning ecosystems. I urge the House to reject this existential threat to our national security and choose to protect and recover species, and defend the living systems we all depend on.”
DiCaprio also shared the U.S. Capitol switchboard number — 202-224-3121 — directly in his post, making it as easy as possible for followers to take immediate action.
DiCaprio issued the statement while filming abroad on What Happens at Night, his latest collaboration with director Martin Scorsese — a partnership that has previously yielded The Aviator, Gangs of New York, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Shutter Island, among others.
His co-star on the project is Jennifer Lawrence, who previously appeared alongside DiCaprio in Don’t Look Up.
DiCaprio has long been one of Hollywood’s most visible and vocal environmental advocates. During the 2024 presidential election, he publicly backed Kamala Harris and leveled sharp criticism at Donald Trump over his climate record.
“Donald Trump continues to deny the facts. He continues to deny the science. He withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accords and rolled back critical environmental protections,” DiCaprio wrote at the time.
He further alleged that Trump had promised the oil and gas industry regulatory rollbacks in exchange for a billion-dollar campaign donation.
“Climate change is killing the earth and ruining our economy,” he added. “That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”
