Leonardo DiCaprio slammed as 'eco-hypocrite' after star's seen lounging on $150M super-yacht
There is perhaps no bigger climate activist in Hollywood than Leonardo DiCaprio, with the actor actively preaching about climate change and global warming as a United Nations ambassador. In fact, the 'Don't Look Up' actor had branded climate change as the "most urgent threat facing our entire species" and lectured everyone about the environmental threats in his famous Oscar acceptance speech.
However, the 47-year-old actor is now being criticized for his hypocrisy, after he was spotted vacationing in the $150 million superyacht The Vava II, along with 24-year-old girlfriend Camila Morrone. DiCaprio has been spending his new year with his ladylove at the Caribbean island of St Bart's. The couple was spotted swimming in the waves as Morrone rocked a stunning black swimsuit. In the past, DiCaprio had been called out by environmentalists for availing his private jet to fly to global events, thereby generating an enormous carbon footprint.
READ MORE
DiCaprio's present holiday home, The Vava II, happens to be one of the biggest luxury superyachts in the world. It is owned by 46-year-old Swiss pharmaceutical billionaire Ernesto Bertrarelli and is often used by celebrities to spend their vacations. Aside from the usual amenities, the 315-ft long yacht constitutes a gym, swimming pool, 'beach club', movie theater, and even a helipad. It can accommodate more than 22 guests alongside 30 crew members.
It reportedly costs a bomb to replenish its fuel needs, as The Vava II demands fuel worth $339,712 to fill its tank. Thus one can easily guess the mammoth amount of carbon footprint left behind by the vehicle. In fact, the carbon pollution generated by the yacht by sailing only seven miles reportedly equals the carbon emission of a standard car in one year. Once loaded with 115,000 gallons of diesel, the yacht has a range of 5,700 miles. According to estimates, the Vava II generates a jaw-dropping amount of 238 kg carbon dioxide every mile. Though it has been mostly stationary in the Caribbean Sea in the recent past, fans are unwilling to absolve DiCaprio of his environmental hypocrisy.
However, DiCaprio was defended by environmentalist Sarah Clayton who remarked, "I know celebrities lead these crazy lives, but Don’t Look Up has done so much to make people aware of climate change." She referred to the actor's latest Netflix release which also stars Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Timothee Chalamet, Jonah Hill, Tyler Perry, among others.
DiCaprio, who notably spent nearly $102 million dollars on a global eco-conservation project, is yet to address the controversy surrounding his fossil fuel pollution.