Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has leveraged its coastline to become a magnet for the world’s wealthiest. Once known for spring breakers and sleepy marinas, the city is now a playground for billionaires. Yet beneath the glossy surface lies an uncomfortable truth: the world’s youngest billionaires are accelerating one of the most polluting luxury trends on the planet.

According to The Times, superyachts have become the new trophy purchase for tech-born wealth — not only for leisure, but for public display. With TikTok, Instagram, and private-jet-tracking accounts driving online status hierarchies, visibility is now part of the value.

“The boats are getting bigger. The clients are getting younger,” Kent Harrington, a broker at superyacht firm Edmiston, told The Times. 

Luxury manufacturers have taken notice. At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show — the biggest show of its kind in the U.S. — European brands showcased fleets worth tens of millions. Italian yachtmaker Sanlorenzo even opened a new U.S. headquarters, crediting record demand linked to AI-powered wealth surges.

But the glamour dims quickly when measured against the environmental cost. These floating mansions are not just symbols of wealth — they’re engines of inequality. 

Oxfam estimates that the average superyacht emits 5,672 tons of CO2 annually, a staggering figure compared to ordinary lifestyles. In fact, the world’s 10 wealthiest individuals are responsible for as much carbon pollution as nearly half of humanity combined. The bottom 99% would need more than 1,500 years to match the emissions of those at the top.









Unlock your next great adventure with a high-tech e-bike at an unbeatable price. Upway saves you up to 60% off retail prices from top-tier brands like Specialized, Aventon, Cannondale, and many more.


And this holiday season, you can get an extra $1,500 off your perfect ride, from electric city cruisers and cargo rigs to mountain bikes and road racers.





Despite this, the trend is moving toward bigger vessels, louder presence, and faster turnover — a cycle of consumption that treats oceans as accessories, not ecosystems.

Massimo Perotti, CEO of Sanlorenzo, insists his brand caters to “quiet luxury” rather than ostentatious ownership. Reflecting on a time when sailing meant craftsmanship, patience, and connection to the water, he worries the culture of boating has shifted from experience to spectacle.

“It’s a matter of doing something good,” he told The Times. “And if young people go back to sailing, that would be a sign of care for the future of the world.”

For now, however, the wakes behind Fort Lauderdale’s superyachts tell a different story.

TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight

💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands

💰Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.

Cool Divider