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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEONARDO DICAPRIO AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS MAGAZINE
TEAM UP TO INSPIRE A MILLION KIDS TO BE HABITAT HEROES
WASHINGTON (April 1, 2003)—Actor Leonardo DiCaprio may have gone down on a sinking ship in the movie "Titanic," but now he's asking kids to help him make sure the Earth doesn't sink in pollution. As guest editor of the April issue of National Geographic Kids magazine, DiCaprio encourages kids to "think green" and take the Habitat Hero Pledge.
"Someone once said that we didn't inherit the Earth from our ancestors - we're borrowing it from future generations. I think that's so true, and that means that it's up to us to keep the Earth safe for the future," DiCaprio told National Geographic Kids Editor in Chief Melina Bellows. "When we all work together, even the smallest actions to protect the planet can turn into something huge."
National Geographic Kids and DiCaprio's goal is to get a million kids to take the Habitat Hero Pledge to do something to help the environment and keep our planet healthy. Kids can go online at www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids to take the pledge. Those who complete an eco-friendly project will be in line to win a trip for a family of four to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and DiCaprio will call or email the winner.
DiCaprio lists six tips in the magazine to help kids become Habitat Heroes:
- Recycle newspaper, plastic and other household waste. This can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - which many scientists believe contribute to global warming - by up to 850 pounds a year.
- Walk, ride your bike or carpool. Driving 15 miles less a week can save 780 pounds of
CO2 a year.
- Ask your parents to buy a more fuel-efficient car. On average, driving a hybrid car can save up to 4,400 pounds of CO2 a year (DiCaprio drives a hybrid car).
- Change three standard lightbulbs to compact fluorescent lights. This can save 300 pounds of CO2 a year.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Plant a tree to put more oxygen into the atmosphere.
The "Save the Earth" issue of National Geographic Kids is available on newsstands April 1.
National Geographic Kids has a circulation of 900,000. A multitopic, photo-driven magazine for 6- to 14-year-olds, National Geographic Kids empowers its readers by making it fun to learn about the world. Published 10 times a year, the award-winning magazine is available by subscription for $17.95 a year (800-NGS-LINE) and on newsstands for $3.95 a copy. National Geographic Kids' Web site is at www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids; AOL Keyword: NatGeoKids.
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CONTACT: Heather Wyatt
+1 212 610 5535
hwyatt@ngs.org
CONTACT: Mary Jeanne Jacobsen
+1 202 857 7759
mjacobse@ngs.org
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