Pollenatrix

Eco-sensational idea

It's been a while since I've had an entry for the "Naked Naturalists" category, so I was very pleased with an email I received today from the Vanpermaculture mailing list.

There is a new buzzword, apparently, and it's called "Eco-sensual living". Some journalist who specialises in the "growing field of eco-design" is going to give a talk in Vancouver next weekend on "how people can create a space for luxurious, restful sleep and passionate play that does not sacrifice their health or the environment."

Hey, I'm not knocking it. I'm all for stopping the polar ice caps from falling into the ocean. But c'mon, is this for real? What is she going to do, tell people to make love with the lights off? Or to use a little less hot water in the bubble bath?

Hey, a gal's got to make a buck. I'll give her that.

Pesticide-free playthings

For those interested in a little botanical discipline, the Veg Sex Shop is now open for business online, offering "sexy vegan gear and organic adult products".

"VSS was schemed up alongside Veg Porn, the first and only adult site that features only vegan and vegetarian models."

And another first: A porn site that renounces flesh.

Heh.

Yes, please fret...

Today's Washington Post article, "The Greening of Evangelicals" (subscription required) opens an intriguing window on the world of American conservative Christians and their attitudes toward environmental issues.

"Evangelicals feel besieged by the culture at large," Ball said. "They don't know many environmentalists, but they have the idea they are pretty weird -- with strange liberal, pantheist views."

Without betraying a hint of irony, the author continues to describe some of the unusual belief systems at work behind this perspective:

"... the return of Jesus and the end of the world are near, so it is pointless to fret about environmental degradation.

James G. Watt, President Ronald Reagan's first interior secretary, famously made this argument before Congress in 1981, saying: "God gave us these things to use. After the last tree is felled, Christ will come back."

Haggard, the leader of the National Association of Evangelicals, concedes that this thinking "is a problem that I do have to address regularly in talking to the common man on the street."

The application of common sense by people like Haggard seems to be unravelling the extremists and pushing this viewpoint more and more into the fringes of that community. The article suggests that despite their extreme wariness of "environmentalists", American conservative Christians are becoming more informed about environmental issues, and more concerned.

The signs of independant thinking among a community that has until now appeared easily manipulated by government and corporate spin is encouraging. It would be good news indeed if they were to shake off their passivity and fret a little.

Naked farmers and their tools

Farmers in South Africa are posing naked for charity, and the Transvaal Agricultural Union is shocked:

"The union distances itself from the actions of these farmers and due to the Christian character of our union, we can not identify ourselves with it," he said in a statement.

But Mr Blignaut said there was no question of vulgarity, as the eight farmers posed discreetly with farm implements.

Men! If they're all fat and flabby, no wonder they're preoccupied with the size of their tools. Ho ho ho.

He said it, not me

This is one very angry blogger:

Has there ever been a more self-absorbed, malevolent and dangerous society than the United States? Despite living better than any society in history (and perhaps because of this), their current leadership refuses to address climate change. This has stymied the action of the rest of the international community that bear the costs but not the benefits of profligate energy use. Shame on the U.S.

I'd be too chicken to post something like that on my blog.... 

Defending nature au naturel

Environmental protesters really do seem to be putting a whole new spin on the concept of dedicating bodies to the cause of science. First, the Victoria's Secret campaign, then the Fuck for Forest folks (and their waffles), and now this:

Link: Two protesters defend nature au naturel: South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

A luncheon meeting of The Scripps Research Institute board of directors at The Breakers resort was stripped of all decorum Monday when two topless women surprised the diners in the Seafood Bar with a 30-second chant to protest the science center's planned expansion to a Palm Beach County wetlands area.

"Nature yes, biotech no," sang out Lynne Purvis and Veronica Robleto, both 24, who described themselves as environmental activists from Lake Worth. Those words also were painted on their bodies.

...Police issued the women a warning against trespassing.

The pair might have made a clean getaway had they not had to valet-park their car. "There were no free spaces available," Purvis said.

Demonstrating once again, that cars are bad for the environment.

How far would YOU go to save the world?

Hmmm, there's a theme emerging here... this morning's favourite news item comes from The Grist Magazine ("Hard-hitting news, thought-provoking features, and inspiring profiles"). It talks about a randy young Swedish couple who are "going all the way" to raise money to save the planet through their paid-subscription Website, (cover your eyes, Granny, this ain't a work-friendly link) "Fuck for Forest":

Since this past winter, when Johansson and Ellingsen started the site (with seed money from the Norwegian government), Fuck for Forest has gained considerable notoriety in the European environmental community. In July, the group won both friends and enemies around the world after making a special appearance at Quart, an outdoor music festival in Kristiansand, Norway.

The couple climbed onstage during the performance of a band called (what else?) the Cumshots. "How far are you willing to go to save the world?" said Ellingsen, who then proceeded to go all the way for about 10 minutes in front of an audience of several thousand.

 

Naturally, this wildly successful publicity stunt sent the mainstream environmental groups scurrying to distance themselves from the pair (though, perhaps, not their money). However, one supporter makes this interesting point:

"We live in a world where public sex is considered far more controversial than wholesale ecological destruction."

Their Website bares (among other things) several grievances over the reaction to their stunt, including a complaint that they were thrown off the premises of the music festival on the last day by organizers who feared a repeat performance. I quote:

"We had done our Quart sex stunt; does the Quart festival believe that we need to fuck all the time?? Sometimes we just want to watch a nice concert and eat a waffle."

Ahhh. This made my day.

Sex Sells

Yes, when it comes to getting a message across, nothing beats sex. Even the environmentalists are harnessing the power of scantily clothed women "to transform the way paper is made and used in the U.S.".

Check out: Victoria's Dirty Secret