Leonardo's energy island

Film

13:30 29 June 2005

Leonardo DiCaprio has splashed out on his own Caribbean island.

The Hollywood heartthrob is now planning to transform Blackadore Caye, a 104-acre island off the coast of Belize, into a luxury, eco-friendly holiday resort.

A source is quoted by Britain's The Sun newspaper as saying: "Leo wants to make money without destroying the environment. Energy sources will be renewable and it will be self-sustaining."

Protecting the environment is an issue close to the actor's heart, and he even drives an electric car, a Toyota Prius.

Leonardo recently helped launch a campaign to raise awareness about the billions of people who have no access to clean water.

The 'Titanic' star signed a petition pressuring American President George W. Bush and other government leaders to commit to a United Nations treaty, which declares clean water as a basic human right.

The actor is also said to be stockpiling his money so he can make huge charity donations in the next 20 years - some of which will go to environmental causes.

He said recently: "Money is very important to me because I want to accumulate enough so that one day I can do something really great for other people, for the environment or for children."

(c) BANG Media International