Leonardo DiCaprio, Barack Obama exchange views over documentry, voices dangers of climate change

Raising serious concerns about climatic change, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio conversed with US President Barack Obama about his upcoming documentry "Before the Flood" at the White House festival, SXSL.

Mr. Obama, who also features in the documentary is co-produced by DiCaprio and filmmaker Martin Scorsese.

In a conversation with the president, the 41-year-old Oscar winning actor struck the urgent tone of his documentary on the dangers of climate change, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"If you do not believe in climate change, you do not believe in facts or in science or empirical truths and therefore, in my humble opinion, you should not be allowed to hold public office," the actor said during the South by South Lawn festival.

The "Inception" actor kept the pressure while moderating the discussion, saying, "Does our planet have the ability to regenerate if we do the right things? Or has there been enough lasting damage that can never be undone?"

DiCaprio also blasted the oil and gas industries for air pollution and asked politicians on how they can get rid of the problem. Whereas, Obama sounded hopeful with the movie star, but hit upon several harsh realities. "We're on the more pessimistic end of what was possible," he said.

DiCaprio, as part of the documentary, had also visited India and spoke to environmentalist Sunita Narain, who also features in the short film.