Eco-warrior Leonardo DiCaprio joins Michael Douglas and Stevie Wonder in New York City to speak at the UN ahead of International Day of Peace

  • Leonardo DiCaprio was in NYC to speak at the UN about the environment
  • He was joined by celebrities including Michael Douglas and Stevie Wonder
  • The group also spoke to several hundred young people during the talk 
  • DiCaprio showed a clip from his documentary upcoming 'Before The Flood'
  • Wonder spoke about people with disabilities and growing up blind
  • Douglas talked about disarmament and dangers of destructive weapons 
  • The celebrities' visit comes just ahead of the International Day of Peace

Leonardo DiCaprio joined Michael Douglas, Stevie Wonder along with Jane Goodall and Nobel Peace Prize winners at the UN in New York on Friday ahead of the International Day of Peace on September 21.

The gathering of Hollywood talent is designed to promote the survival of the planet, and DiCaprio seized the opportunity to show the General Assembly his upcoming climate change film 'Before The Flood', two days after he was spotted dining in the city with girlfriend Nina Agdal.

The celebrities also spoke to several hundred young people at the student observance of International Peace Day. 

Leonardo DiCaprio spoke at the UN in New York City on Friday ahead of International Day of Peace 

Leonardo DiCaprio spoke at the UN in New York City on Friday ahead of International Day of Peace 

DiCaprio, who focuses on climate change, showed a short clip from his upcoming documentary on the environment, 'Before The Flood'

DiCaprio, who focuses on climate change, showed a short clip from his upcoming documentary on the environment, 'Before The Flood'

DiCaprio was joined by other famous faces in Manhattan, who pleaded for peace and the survival of the planet on Friday

DiCaprio was joined by other famous faces in Manhattan, who pleaded for peace and the survival of the planet on Friday

The secretary-general enlisted five U.N. Messengers of Peace — DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, Michael Douglas, Japanese violinist Midori, and primatologist Jane Goodall — as well as Nobel Peace Prize winners Shirin Ebadi, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman to urge an end to fighting and preservation of the planet.  

DiCaprio, who focuses on climate change, showed a short clip from his upcoming documentary on the environment, 'Before The Flood'.

It also stars the secretary-general and he said it will be in theaters on October 21. 

The Academy Award winning actor said he has witnessed 'unimaginable human-caused devastation across our planet'. 

UN messenger of Peace (left to right) Jane Goodall, Leymah Gbowee, Shirin Ebadi, DiCaprio and Tawakkol Karman attend the Peace Bell Ceremony were in attendance on Friday 

UN messenger of Peace (left to right) Jane Goodall, Leymah Gbowee, Shirin Ebadi, DiCaprio and Tawakkol Karman attend the Peace Bell Ceremony were in attendance on Friday 

The celebrities also spoke to several hundred young people at the student observance of International Peace Day

The celebrities also spoke to several hundred young people at the student observance of International Peace Day

He said the potential of hundreds of millions of climate refugees would create 'a future that would be anything but peaceful'.

DiCaprio said it was terrifying, but he said 'the solutions are available ... today if we begin to make real progress right now'. 

He urged the students to hold their leaders accountable for the promises they made in last December's Paris agreement to combat climate change — and to vote for leaders who focus on renewable energy and 'respond before it's too late'.

Wonder, who focuses on people with disabilities, spoke about his mother's anguish at his being blind and how he told her maybe God had something greater for him to do than to see, 'and I'm so thankful that I was blessed with the gift of song and music'.

'Go forward in the struggle for peace with passion and compassion,' he said. 

'The future of this world is in your hands ... You can do well in this life if you do good. Love your family first. Take care of your body and mind. And use God's given talent to make a difference.'

Douglas, who focuses on disarmament and emceed the student event, spoke of the dangers of weapons of mass destruction to the planet's survival. 

Goodall (center), who focuses on the environment, said her happiest days were studying chimpanzees in Tanzania

Goodall (center), who focuses on the environment, said her happiest days were studying chimpanzees in Tanzania

Douglas, who focuses on disarmament and emceed the student event, spoke of the dangers of weapons of mass destruction to the planet's survival

Douglas, who focuses on disarmament and emceed the student event, spoke of the dangers of weapons of mass destruction to the planet's survival

'An overarmed world is an unstable and insecure one,' he said. 'Disarmament is critical to creating a safer, more prosperous, more equitable and more peaceful world.'

 Wonder, who focuses on people with disabilities, spoke about his mother's anguish at his being blind and how he told her maybe God had something greater for him (File photo)

 Wonder, who focuses on people with disabilities, spoke about his mother's anguish at his being blind and how he told her maybe God had something greater for him (File photo)

Goodall, who focuses on the environment, said her happiest days were studying chimpanzees in Tanzania and she told the students she brought a greeting from them.

'Oah-oh-oh-oh-oh! AH!! AH!!! AH!!!! AH!!!!,' she howled to loud applause. 'That's hello everybody!'

Goodall noted that the DNA of chimpanzees is only one percent different from humans — but humans are 'so arrogant' that they think they're the only beings that matter when, in fact, they 'have been destroying the planet that we all call home.'

'We need to learn to live in peace and harmony with each other,' she said. 'And we need to learn to live in peace and harmony with mother nature. 

At a ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Peace on Friday, Ban urged all combatants to lay down their arms for that day.

He also rang the Peace Bell presented to the United Nations by Japan to 'sound a call for peace and a day of non-violence.' 

Ban, who grew up during the 1950-53 Korean War, said that conflicts around the world are driving millions of families from their homes, depriving children of an education and subjected many to abuse and exploitation.

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