UPHE lawsuit gets attention from Leonardo Dicaprio
In a powerful testament to the urgent environmental concerns surrounding the Great Salt Lake, acclaimed actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio took to Instagram on Tuesday to lend his voice to our cause. DiCaprio, who has consistently used his platform to champion various environmental issues, called upon his followers to support a petition by the Sierra Club’s Utah Chapter aimed at safeguarding this vital ecosystem.
In his Instagram post, DiCaprio passionately articulated the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the need for immediate action. “A group of conservation organizations including the @UtahRiversCouncil, @sierraclub, @utahphysicians, @americanbirdconservancy, and @centerforbiodiv are calling on the Utah government to do more to prevent the Great Salt Lake from drying up as the result of upstream water diversions,” his post reads.
DiCaprio’s heartfelt message underscored the profound impact the diminishing Great Salt Lake is having on its diverse ecosystem. “According to a recent @sltrib story, Great Salt Lake supports more than 10 million migrating birds that are in jeopardy of a massive die-off, along with brine shrimp and other wildlife that depends on the lake. Even more, as the lakebed dries, it turns into a toxic dust that could potentially poison the millions of people who live along the Wasatch Front if nothing is done,” the social media post continues.
DiCaprio’s post went beyond mere awareness-raising; it was a call to action. He urged his followers to visit the link in his bio to access the Sierra Club’s petition, which seeks to implore Utah’s political leaders to take decisive steps in preserving and revitalizing the largest saline ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere.
The alarming fact that the water levels of the Great Salt Lake plummeted to a historic low of 4,188.5 feet in November 2022 serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of this matter. The repercussions of inaction would be devastating, not only for the environment but for the millions of lives that rely on the Great Salt Lake’s vitality.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s steadfast support for our cause is a testament to the global significance of this issue. His influence, combined with the dedication of organizations like UPHE, highlights the importance of collective action in safeguarding our environment. As we continue to press forward with our lawsuit against Utah, we stand united with all those who understand that the time to protect and restore the Great Salt Lake is now.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. DiCaprio for lending his voice to this crucial cause and urge everyone to join us in this fight to preserve one of Utah’s most iconic natural treasures. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the Great Salt Lake remains a thriving ecosystem for generations to come.