Leonardo DiCaprio Jetpack Causing Stir, Is His Fun Costing the Environment?
Leonardo DiCaprio sparked a debate after being spotted in the ocean using a jetpack, which launched him 30 feet into the air in Ibiza, Spain this week.
The recreational sport requires devices similar to that found in "Iron Man" called a flyboard and a Jetlev that can propel users high into the air using force from water.
While the adrenaline-inducing water device is gaining popularity, the water jetpacks may propose risks to the environment.
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Scientists and state officials in Hawaii are concerned about the safety of the jetpacks as well as their effects on wildlife in the water, such as fish and coral. The concern lies in the water pressure used with the device, its, loud noise, as well as the safety of the users and the wildlife, according to the Daily Mail.
Watch a video of a flyboard similar to DiCaprio's being used on YouTube here.
Despite the recent speculation over ecological safety, DiCaprio is well known for having environmentally-friendly habits, such as flying commercially instead of having his own private jet and using alternate sources of power in order to cut down on the use of energy.
Furthermore, the actor owns an eco-friendly penthouse in New York City's Battery Park, and said recently that he wants to focus on his environmental activism.
"I would like to improve the world a bit, said DiCaprio speaking to the German newspaper Bild. "I will fly around the world doing good for the environment."
"My roof is covered with solar panels," the actor added, according to the Bild. "My car is electric. A normal person does not drive more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) a day. That can be done with a plug."
Meanwhile, it comes as no surprise that the Academy Award winner has been spotted on several different beach locations in recent months.
DiCaprio admitted that he was "worn out" after completing three films back-to-back last year; "Django Unchained," "The Great Gatsby," as well as "The Wolf on Wall Street."
"I'm a bit drained," admitted "Titanic" star while speaking to Bild. "I'm now going to take a long, long break. I've done three films in two years and I'm just worn out."
The Martin Scorsese-directed "Wolf on Wall Street" is due in theaters Nov. 15. In it, DiCaprio plays a New York stockbroker alongside Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey.
