Walking nude in any environment is enough to realize the close connexion we have (or should have) with it. Bare foot in the forest, one has to keep his attention on the soil, the environment, the branches, even the sun. On the other hand, clothed with high tech gear and hiking boot, the only sense left is the sight. When the environment is unhealthy, we sense it quickly when nude. Otherwise, the health of the environment is only an abstract, intellectual concept.
There's something deeply frustrating about how naturism talks a big game about connecting with nature, while failing to walk the walk when it comes to real environmental action. I've seen this firsthand at naturist clubs – these places have acres of land but can't be bothered to grow even a few tomatoes or herbs. Instead, what do you find? The same processed junk food you'd get anywhere else.
The irony hits hardest when you're sitting there watching someone wax poetic about being "one with nature" while cracking open their third can of Coke. It's clear that for many people, naturism has become just another lifestyle choice, stripped of any deeper ecological meaning.
The commercialization bugs me the most. These clubs could be showcasing how personal freedom and environmental consciousness go hand in hand. But no – they've taken the easy route, focusing on individual comfort while paying lip service to environmental values. The gap between what naturists preach about nature and what they actually practice suggests we're missing a huge opportunity to make this movement mean something more.
I believe them to be deeply connected, but inherently is not the word I'd use, although while nature can exist without our nudity, our nudity cannot exist without nature...
And our nudity is enhanced greatly when embracing the natural world around us.
Personally, my naturism has moved me towards a much more environmentally aware position. I try hard to avoid disposable products and plastic packaging and I try to buy sustainable products where I have the choice. Naturism has taught me to be in touch with my authentic self, and I guess that has made me look at the authenticity of the world around me. I am not the world’s greenest naturist, but I am comfortable that I am doing more than the average person.
I believe that promoting the environmental connection is a major part of encouraging more people to try naturism. If the naturist community wants to increase its membership, then I believe that environmentally aware people would be more likely and willing to consider naturism, or at least be allies to the philosophy.
I feel this question deeply. I'm a naturist and a PhD student in environment and sustainability. When I look back at my life I can see where the two identities have fed into each other. I feel that in their truest sense they are deeply intertwined. Yet, I resonate a ton with JoeBianco's post. When I visit many naturist clubs I find myself feeling at odds with the environment (on many levels, not just the environmental). I've been connecting with the distinction that Stéphane Deschênes often makes about ethical naturism vs. recreational naturism. Evan, has this been a discussion on Planet Nude? Sorry if I've missed it! Ethical naturism as I understand it is more deeply tied to naturist values (body positivity, physical health and wellbeing, environmentalism, removal of class barriers, etc.) while recreational naturism is more just about doing fun stuff naked. I'm all for people who are in it for the latter, but I hope that through naturism more would find their way to the ethical benefits. I think at some level I believe that if the ethical naturists were more front and center, the movement might gain more wider acceptance... then again, maybe it would just be polarizing.
We're alienated from nature. We're alienated from our bodies, part of nature. I've met some naturists who are heartbreakingly anti-environmentalist, but I believe that their naturism has moved them closer to rapprochement with the Earth.
I would love to understand - for myself - whether I have found myself to enjoy gardening (more flowers than produce) because I’m a naturist, or whether I would have the same passion for nature regardless. I can’t really tell.
I also have come to understand that my personal, direct contributions to nature and The Environment are minuscule when compared to the vastness of our global problems and nature itself. But I still try to make conscious efforts towards being part of the solutions. I live too far away from the big metropolitan areas where protests/demonstrations occur. My local elections are flooded with candidates that lean away from climate and environmental awareness (despite representing agriculture?? Make it make sense…). But I can manage my land to the best of my ability, encourage nature (flora and fauna) to prosper, and limit my consumption. At least that’s where I’m at for now.
This depends very much on the individual. However i do feel that the sort of person drawn to Naturism is more likely to be concerned for the environment. So my answer would be, in general yes, but not in every case.
I beleive that nude in nature brings you a different veiw of nature. To walk clothed is a good walk. To walk nude brings me closer. I have found that animals tend to not have the same alertness to move away when i am nude.
Personally i enjoy a clean hiking environment. I have cleaned several local trails that i have used. I beleive others have the same ideas.
We have many times. Nudists are very environmentally responsible in the warmer months because we wear very few clothes if any. During the summer we may have one load a week.
I find avid hunters are in biggest environmentalists, and for obvious reasons. They put their money into it as well, the various sporting goods and firearms manufacturers donate a lot more money into environmental conservation than any of the tree huggers. If nudist wish to have more public spaces, perhaps we should figure out how to follow the same model.
Walking nude in any environment is enough to realize the close connexion we have (or should have) with it. Bare foot in the forest, one has to keep his attention on the soil, the environment, the branches, even the sun. On the other hand, clothed with high tech gear and hiking boot, the only sense left is the sight. When the environment is unhealthy, we sense it quickly when nude. Otherwise, the health of the environment is only an abstract, intellectual concept.
There's something deeply frustrating about how naturism talks a big game about connecting with nature, while failing to walk the walk when it comes to real environmental action. I've seen this firsthand at naturist clubs – these places have acres of land but can't be bothered to grow even a few tomatoes or herbs. Instead, what do you find? The same processed junk food you'd get anywhere else.
The irony hits hardest when you're sitting there watching someone wax poetic about being "one with nature" while cracking open their third can of Coke. It's clear that for many people, naturism has become just another lifestyle choice, stripped of any deeper ecological meaning.
The commercialization bugs me the most. These clubs could be showcasing how personal freedom and environmental consciousness go hand in hand. But no – they've taken the easy route, focusing on individual comfort while paying lip service to environmental values. The gap between what naturists preach about nature and what they actually practice suggests we're missing a huge opportunity to make this movement mean something more.
Naked and Afraid is the only true naturism! Comfort be condemned! :-P
I believe them to be deeply connected, but inherently is not the word I'd use, although while nature can exist without our nudity, our nudity cannot exist without nature...
And our nudity is enhanced greatly when embracing the natural world around us.
Personally, my naturism has moved me towards a much more environmentally aware position. I try hard to avoid disposable products and plastic packaging and I try to buy sustainable products where I have the choice. Naturism has taught me to be in touch with my authentic self, and I guess that has made me look at the authenticity of the world around me. I am not the world’s greenest naturist, but I am comfortable that I am doing more than the average person.
I believe that promoting the environmental connection is a major part of encouraging more people to try naturism. If the naturist community wants to increase its membership, then I believe that environmentally aware people would be more likely and willing to consider naturism, or at least be allies to the philosophy.
I feel this question deeply. I'm a naturist and a PhD student in environment and sustainability. When I look back at my life I can see where the two identities have fed into each other. I feel that in their truest sense they are deeply intertwined. Yet, I resonate a ton with JoeBianco's post. When I visit many naturist clubs I find myself feeling at odds with the environment (on many levels, not just the environmental). I've been connecting with the distinction that Stéphane Deschênes often makes about ethical naturism vs. recreational naturism. Evan, has this been a discussion on Planet Nude? Sorry if I've missed it! Ethical naturism as I understand it is more deeply tied to naturist values (body positivity, physical health and wellbeing, environmentalism, removal of class barriers, etc.) while recreational naturism is more just about doing fun stuff naked. I'm all for people who are in it for the latter, but I hope that through naturism more would find their way to the ethical benefits. I think at some level I believe that if the ethical naturists were more front and center, the movement might gain more wider acceptance... then again, maybe it would just be polarizing.
We're alienated from nature. We're alienated from our bodies, part of nature. I've met some naturists who are heartbreakingly anti-environmentalist, but I believe that their naturism has moved them closer to rapprochement with the Earth.
I would love to understand - for myself - whether I have found myself to enjoy gardening (more flowers than produce) because I’m a naturist, or whether I would have the same passion for nature regardless. I can’t really tell.
I also have come to understand that my personal, direct contributions to nature and The Environment are minuscule when compared to the vastness of our global problems and nature itself. But I still try to make conscious efforts towards being part of the solutions. I live too far away from the big metropolitan areas where protests/demonstrations occur. My local elections are flooded with candidates that lean away from climate and environmental awareness (despite representing agriculture?? Make it make sense…). But I can manage my land to the best of my ability, encourage nature (flora and fauna) to prosper, and limit my consumption. At least that’s where I’m at for now.
This depends very much on the individual. However i do feel that the sort of person drawn to Naturism is more likely to be concerned for the environment. So my answer would be, in general yes, but not in every case.
Being against polyester is enough
I beleive that nude in nature brings you a different veiw of nature. To walk clothed is a good walk. To walk nude brings me closer. I have found that animals tend to not have the same alertness to move away when i am nude.
Personally i enjoy a clean hiking environment. I have cleaned several local trails that i have used. I beleive others have the same ideas.
No body has brought up the environmental benefits of reduced clothing production and cleaning/washing.
We have many times. Nudists are very environmentally responsible in the warmer months because we wear very few clothes if any. During the summer we may have one load a week.
I find avid hunters are in biggest environmentalists, and for obvious reasons. They put their money into it as well, the various sporting goods and firearms manufacturers donate a lot more money into environmental conservation than any of the tree huggers. If nudist wish to have more public spaces, perhaps we should figure out how to follow the same model.