On Climate, Obama Tells Leo DiCaprio, We’re "In A Race Against Time"

"Capping a day-long futurist fair and alternative music fest on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, President Obama told actor Leonardo DiCaprio and atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe 'we’re really in a race against time' to curb the worst affects of climate change.

The hour-long panel discussion, which was immediately followed the U.S. premiere of 'Before the Flood,' a National Geographic documentary on climate change that DiCaprio starred in and produced, aimed to shift public opinion on an issue that even DiCaprio acknowledged rarely galvanizes voters.

As he introduced Obama and Hayhoe, who directs Texas Tech University’s climate science center, the Oscar winner said he and director Fisher Stevens wanted their film 'to be released before this upcoming election because after firsthand experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change worldwide, we, like many of you here today, realize that urgent action must be taken.'"

Juliet Eilperin reports for the Washington Post October 3, 2016.