Leonardo DiCaprio praises Greta Thunberg as a ‘leader of our time’ after meeting

Leonardo DiCaprio has praised teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg as a "leader of our time" following their first meeting.

DiCaprio, one of Hollywood’s leading stars and a prominent environmental campaigner, said the 16-year-old’s message should be a “wake-up call to world leaders everywhere that the time for inaction is over”.

The Academy Award winner shared a picture of him and the Swedish student on Instagram, writing: "There are few times in human history where voices are amplified at such pivotal moments and in such transformational ways – but Greta Thunberg has become a leader of our time.

“History will judge us for what we do today to help guarantee that future generations can enjoy the same livable planet that we have so clearly taken for granted.

Brazil’s oil-spill pollution linked to ship flying Greek flag

---

Funding for Government departments to drop if climate action not taken

---

State blows this way and that on tackling climate change

---

300m people at risk from rising sea levels – study

---

“I hope that Greta’s message is a wake-up call to world leaders everywhere that the time for inaction is over.”

DiCaprio (44), who most recently starred in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time ... In Hollywood, said he is “optimistic about what the future holds” thanks to Ms Thunberg and young activists like her.

“It was an honour to spend time with Greta,” he added.

“She and I have made a commitment to support one another, in hopes of securing a brighter future for our planet.”

DiCaprio is a vocal climate change campaigner and highlighted the issue during a speech at the 88th Academy Awards in 2016.

In light of his environmental work DiCaprio, star of films including Titanic, The Revenant and The Wolf of Wall Street, has been criticised for his use of private jets.

Ms Thunberg’s activism has sparked a global strike movement that has seen millions of youngsters from across the world protest by refusing to go to school. – PA