DiCaprio's clean water

Showbiz

09:30 27 March 2005

Leonardo DiCaprio has helped launch a campaign to raise awareness about the billions of the world's population who don't have access to clean water.

The Hollywood heartthrob signed a petition pressuring American President George W. Bush and other government leaders to commit to a legally binding United Nations treaty, which declares clean water as a basic human right.

Speaking on World Water Day last week, DiCaprio said: "We are here to help raise awareness about what is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today."

DiCaprio then screened 'Water Planet', a short film he helped produce which highlights the need to conserve the world's limited supply of fresh water and provide greater access to it for more than 1.2 billion people.

Meanwhile, DiCaprio was recently honoured with a lifetime achievement award - at the tender age of 30.

The 'Titanic' star was presented with the prize at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival last month.

Leonardo was left stunned by the award, saying: "I am completely blown away. Getting this award is just so surreal considering I'm only 30 years old."

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