Leonardo Dicaprio's Belize Island Escape

Leonardo DiCaprio may be best known for his acting career, but he's also a committed environmentalist. In 2005, DiCaprio bought a small sandbar in the Caribbean Sea, close to the Belize Barrier Reef, called Blackadore Caye. He and his business partner, Jeff Gram, paid $1.75 million for the island, which they planned to turn into a restorative eco-resort. The project, which was originally scheduled to open in 2018, has faced delays and backlash from local communities, who argue that it will damage fish breeding grounds and negatively impact eco-tourism in the area. Despite these challenges, DiCaprio remains committed to creating a sustainable development that will change the world and set a new standard for island resorts.

The island's environmental issues

Leonardo DiCaprio owns the small island of Blackadore Caye, Belize, which he purchased with Jeff Gram, the owner of Cayo Espanto Island Resort. DiCaprio intends to develop a highly sustainable eco-resort on the island. The project aims to increase the biological health of species on the island and in the surrounding waters while serving as a luxury resort for guests.

Blackadore Caye has suffered from years of overfishing, eroding coastline, and mangrove deforestation. The development of the island will include an indigenous plant nursery focused on manatee conservation, which will involve replanting mangrove trees and replacing invasive species. The resort will also feature artificial reefs and fish shelters.

Belize is a small Central American nation with a diverse ecology. It is the only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean. The country has a range of environmental issues, which are detailed below:

Deforestation

Belize has experienced accelerated deforestation since 2010, losing over 48 square miles of rainforest per year. This has been caused by illegal logging, subsistence farming, and commercial logging. The country's mangrove trees have been used for firewood by fishermen, and the once-plentiful palm trees have been uprooted for landscaping.

Water Pollution

Belize's water systems, including its Barrier Reef System, face pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. The country also struggles with solid waste disposal, with cruise ships creating waste management problems for popular beach areas around Belize City.

Inadequate Waste Management

Belize does not have the infrastructure to handle the amount of waste generated by its growing tourism industry. The government has promised to improve waste management systems but has taken little action. Solid waste is often burned in landfills, creating toxic air pollution, while liquid waste ends up in the ground or the ocean.

Oil Exploration

The discovery of petroleum in 2005 has led to conflict with conservationists and indigenous people. Oil rigs have been placed in protected areas, such as the Sarstoon Temash National Park, and roads built for oil exploration have given poachers easier access to hunting land.

Development and Habitat Destruction

The development of infrastructure and the exploration of natural resources, such as crude oil, have led to habitat destruction in Belize. The construction of roads, for example, provides necessary market access for agriculture and lumber but also facilitates illegal logging and poaching.

The eco-resort's original plans

Leonardo DiCaprio's eco-resort was originally planned to be a 68-villa resort on a private island in Belize, with 48 of these villas being sold to private owners. The villas were to be built on a platform supported by pylons with artificial reefs and fish shelters underneath. The resort was also to include a hotel and 36 bungalows, with each home being energy efficient, featuring solar panels, eco materials, air and water purification, and wind energy. The resort would be completely powered by renewable energy.

The villas were to have infinity pools, access to private beaches and the jungle, and an "anti-aging" wellness centre. The resort would also feature a research centre focused on climate change and an indigenous plant nursery focused on manatee conservation. DiCaprio intended for the resort to be the "world's first truly restorative island development", with a bold vision to change the world. He wanted the resort to be a model for future sustainable developments, stating:

> With the onset of climate change, there are huge challenges, so we want the structure to not only enhance and improve the environment, but to be a model for the future. That includes restoring the island, creating conservation areas where we can hold research conferences, and regenerating the entire ecosystem to bring it back to its original form and beyond.

The resort was originally scheduled to open in 2018, with a revised opening date of 2020. However, as of 2021, construction had not yet started due to protests and backlash from local Belize fishermen, who argued that the development would destroy fish breeding grounds and negatively impact ecotourism in the area.

The backlash from locals

Locals in Belize have been protesting Leonardo DiCaprio's plans to build an eco-resort on the island of Blackadore Caye, which he purchased for $1.75 million in 2005. The backlash against DiCaprio's project has been intense and prolonged, with campaigners arguing that the development would be an environmental disaster that would destroy fish breeding grounds and damage the local tourism industry.

Groups such as Defend Blackadore Caye and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust have organized campaigns against the resort, which was supposed to open in 2018 but has been stalled by protests. Locals have expressed outrage at DiCaprio's claims that the resort would be environmentally conscious, with one tour company operator, Rebecca Arceo, calling him a "complete hypocrite" and saying, "To call his plan green is totally disgusting."

The backlash against DiCaprio's project is rooted in concerns about the environmental impact of the development and the potential damage to the local economy. Dr. Aaron Adams, the science and conservation director of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, warned that the project would result in habitat destruction and pollution, and locals worry that the construction of sandy beaches and the increase in boat traffic will harm marine life.

In addition to environmental concerns, there is also a sense of resentment among locals about a wealthy Hollywood actor coming to their community and claiming to bring healing and development. One activist told The Sun, "People were bristling. They got really bent out of shape by the notion that he was going to 'heal' us by building an over-the-top resort for rich people."

The eco-resort's current status

Leonardo DiCaprio's eco-resort project on Blackadore Caye Island in Belize has been stalled for years following protests and backlash from local fishermen and environmentalists. The project was initially scheduled to open in 2018 but has faced significant delays due to opposition and concerns about its environmental impact.

The development group has stated that the project will only move forward if it meets the most rigorous environmental and ecological standards. They have conducted ecological planning and studies, including a three-year scientific investigation to address issues such as coastal erosion and climate change. In response to concerns raised by local communities, adjustments have been made to the original plans, including removing over-the-water structures.

The current status of the project is uncertain. While the development group remains committed to creating an eco-friendly resort, there has been no recent update on when construction will begin or if the rigorous environmental standards have been met. It seems that the project is still in the planning stages, with the development group continuing to gather input from local stakeholders and evaluate sustainable practices.

Despite the delays, DiCaprio remains dedicated to his vision of creating a restorative island that will increase the biological health of species on the island and in the surrounding waters. He intends to develop a highly sustainable eco-resort, powered completely by renewable energy, that will offer a restorative experience to its guests.

DiCaprio's first trip to Belize

Leonardo DiCaprio first visited Belize in 2004 or 2005. He fell in love with the country after a scuba diving trip to explore its barrier reef. DiCaprio described Belize as "like heaven on earth". He immediately set about purchasing an island in the country, with the owner of Cayo Espanto, Jeff Gram. The island, Blackadore Caye, cost $1.75 million.

DiCaprio has since become a prominent environmentalist, lending his voice to powerful environmental films and sitting on the board of several environmental non-profits. He was appointed as a UN Messenger of Peace by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon, who called DiCaprio a "new voice for climate advocacy".

DiCaprio's plans for Blackadore Caye include a 68-villa eco-resort, with a focus on restoring the island's biodiversity. The resort will feature floating suites, a network of artificial reefs and fish shelters, and an indigenous plant nursery focused on manatee conservation. The project will be closely monitored by a team of scientists, designers, engineers and landscape architects, who will assess the impact on the island's environment.

The resort was initially due to open in 2018, but the opening has been delayed several times due to construction and environmental studies. The project has also faced fierce opposition from campaigners, who warn that the development will be an environmental disaster, particularly for marine life in the surrounding waters. Despite this, DiCaprio maintains that the resort will be "groundbreaking in the environmental movement".

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