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Go naked: save the planet

Marie Claire News: Naturists

Naturists are urging us to shed our clothes and save the world from eco disaster.

'Go naked: save the planet' is the message from groups like Econudes.org, who claim living a naturist lifestyle could be the best way to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

In an interview with The Independent, Naturist Life magazine editor, Suzanne Piper, says: 'If anything, we predate the green movement, so you could argue that the greens are actually jumping on our bandwagon.

'Back in the early Seventies, for example, naturism was defined as "a way of life in harmony with nature, characterised by self-respect, respect for others and for the environment".

'Even before then, in the 19th century, naturists always stressed their eco-credentials.'

Certainly, given the energy needed to manufacture garments, if we all stopped wearing clothing, far less energy would be emitted creating the clothes in the first place.

But what about the energy needed to keep naturists in the northern hemisphere warm in their chilly houses?

Indeed, there's a renegade group of naturists - Nudists Opposing Winter - who actually welcome global warming (explicitly on their website, www.weloveglobalwarming.org) and hope the world continues to get hotter.

Back to the pros, and even if northern-living naturists do need to fly to warmer climes to enjoy a naked holiday, the mere fact they pack so few clothes helps lower their carbon footprint.

'Nudist holidays turn natural laws on their head,' says British naturist and writer, Liz Egger. 'The scramble to cover every eventuality clotheswise is replaced by a disdain for apparel bordering on the obsessive. The immediate effect of this textile trimming is that my luggage, normally equal in volume to a medium-sized car, consists of just a small case.'

Could you be persuaded to leave your clothes at home for your next foreign holiday? Leave your comments on the form below…

Tuesday 19 August 2008


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Yes I can be persuaded. To me clothing is necessary for warmth and only that. We have to wear clothing at other times because most people are embarrassed to see the naked body. Most of this attitude probably stems from their upbringing, which may have been handed down through their generations. I think it is outrageous that some parents have been questioned about the upbringing of their children because they don't mind their children not wearing clothes at suitable times.
Comment by Hugh Spencer on August 19 10:49

Two other points I forgot to mention. Firstly, both Spain and Portugal are considering making it easier for people to be naturists by relaxing any restrictions in place. Also, in France and Germany and some eastern European countries, nakedness in public is not such a dreadful thing to witness as we in the UK experience.
Comment by Hugh Spencer on August 19 11:01

Sounds like a plan!
Comment by Red on August 19 12:10

I would not go on holiday any where I had to wear clothes. No need to turn up air conditioning, remove the hot, sticky clothing and be more comfortable.
Cheri

Comment by Cheri on August 19 14:34

I'm ready. Haven't owned a bathing suit for years, and I'll never own one again if I can pick the right beach vacation spots. My wife still likes to wear her bottoms...but at least she's half way there...or half not there? The best vacations require the least clothes.
Comment by Breno on August 19 18:41

Nothing is better than going on vacation and being able to be at the beach, or outdoors.
Comment by jeff on August 20 21:43

The concept of the perfect body is a myth. We believe that the stress caused by the unrealistic expectations of society is very damaging. Naturists practice body acceptance. When you visit a naturist environment you'll find all types of bodies in all shapes, sizes, ages and colors, many of them with the signs of a full life. Naturist looks like you and I and come from all walks of life. You will find it to be a relaxing lifestyle that is free of the daily stress we all experience. Naturist groups like naturistmingle are looking for people who are open minded and want to enjoy the company of others of a like mind.
Comment by Mavis on August 21 03:37

I do just that without going to foreign shores. Just spent several days at Gunnison.
Comment by steven on August 22 01:31

Sure can! It is only natural!
Comment by Frank on September 03 02:07

There are only two body types...male and female. What if the world was different and human beings were required to wear gloves and to bare ones hands was illegal? Preposterous, right? Prudish hangups truly annoy me!
Comment by Chuck on September 06 16:20

I would if I wasn't afraid of getting arrested and thrown in jail for what they refer to as "indecent exposure". I want to be a nudist, but where I live, it's illegal here and I can't afford to go to a secluded nudist resort that wants hundreds of dollars to join. I am a nudist at heart and I do have nudist tendencies. I just need to figure out a way to get them out in the open, so to speak.
Comment by David on September 07 22:28

Have enjoyed nude recreation on three different continents, and am adding another this winter. (Yes, it is southern hemispere) Have yet to meet a dishonest nudist!
Comment by Dan on September 12 16:35

2 weeks holliday with just a carry on flite bag.No luggage to lose. What's not to like?
Comment by Colin on September 14 16:44

Here's a downside to nude vacations: photography is forbidden. If I travel to a new and exciting place, I want lots and lots of both pictures and video!
Comment by Buzz on September 19 20:49

Being a nudist too, my wife and I mean leaving your rank in society with your clothes. Everyone has thought of just once, I can walk down the street nude, or maybe just pull weeds in my own yard. We can and are better at understanding for it.
Comment by Rob on September 20 06:20

I've never understood the big deal about wearing clothes. It's so much more comfortable without. I hate having to put something on just to get something out of my car, or just to enjoy the outside, just to appease the neighbors. I wish there were more places I could go where clothes weren't necessary, and I didn't have to travel so far, and it didn't cost an arm and a leg! Most resorts are to expensive just to enjoy the company of others. Those who think nudity is indecent need to read how it all started, and get past themselves and start thinking about others, so don't knock it till you have tried it, you might find it real enjoyable!
Comment by Brian D. on September 28 21:11

Putting clothes on to swim, putting clothes on to get the sun. There is some thing just not right in those statements. How do clothes help either? I have noticed though, clothes being worn to enhance ones appearance, to make the chubby look fit and sexy, to highlight those swinging hips or make saggy breasts look firmer and younger. Perhaps the puritans need to ban such sexy provacative behavior at beaches, spars and pools and insit we all be decently naked, no sexing up the old saggy bits, after all why are you there....
Nudists are normal, textiles are some thing else and some very blinkered in there out look. Why is some skin ok, just what is so terrible about seeing a naked male or female. Most are far more appealing to look at clothed if that is what YOU are there for.
Nudists are generally more thoughtful and considerate, open minded and sociable in my experience. These qualities tend to make them more thoughful and caring for the environment too!
Comment by Steve J on May 07 19:53


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