Yoga pants and swimwear.

New research shows another reason to go naked.

A recent study undertaken by the University of Auckland in New Zealand has used sophisticated imaging technology to detect smaller sizes of microplastics in the water at popular Auckland beaches, and the news is not good.

It is not rocket science to realise that if you use newer technology to detect smaller-size pollutants, that would have been missed by previous surveys unable to discern the minute particles now being counted, that of course, the count is going to be higher.

The study suggests that microplastic pollution in the marine environment has been significantly underestimated and that levels may be as much as 50 times higher.

The researchers found that much of the contamination came from polyester clothing fibres and not from plastic packaging as previously thought.  These levels were higher at beaches where people were swimming.

The study also found significant microplastics related to the synthetic rubber from vehicle tyres that had travelled via the stormwater systems.  It seems that Electric Vehicles are higher generators of tyre wear particles as the vehicles are heavier and have more torque.  The Yale School for the Environment suggests that EVs release up to 20% more Tyre Wear Particles than fossil fuel vehicles and that as much as 78% of world ocean microplastics are from synthetic vehicle tyres.

Imperial College of London researchers have claimed in a report on Tyre Wear Particles, that there is emerging evidence:

“that these particles contribute to negative cardiopulmonary, developmental, reproductive and cancer outcomes.”

While the lion's share of the microplastic pollutants in our water is coming from synthetic rubber, a notable amount is coming from polyester clothing.  Activewear and swimwear are likely significant contributors to this pollution of the waterways.

Some have been critical of the abundant use of polyester and plastics in our fast fashion world, and now it seems that there is evidence to support this criticism.

Many people may have been aware of the issues surrounding polyester clothing but have perhaps lacked the motivation to do anything about it.  In the absence of any evidence to support the claims of environmental damage, it seems that many are happy to turn a blind eye to the consequences of cheap fast fashion.

Now that the research is finding out more about the real costs of synthetic fibres in our clothing, perhaps there is a pressing reason to change our habits.

It is true that as individuals we could all drive less, and there is little we can do personally against the level of pollutants from commercial road transport, but we can all take a stand against polyester clothing and fast fashion.

Trying to stay on trend and keeping up with the latest fashion seems like such a pointless exercise, and now that there is evidence to suggest that it may be more damaging to the environment than previously believed, surely the responsible thing to do is to be an individual rather than follow the trend like a bunch of lemmings running towards an early extinction.

Perhaps we should be buying clothes made from natural fibres that last a year or two (or more) and wear them for as long as we can rather than rush out to buy the latest new thing just because some celebrity or influencer has told us to so that they can fulfil their contractual obligation and get paid.

Maybe now people might listen to naturists and nudists who have long been claiming that exercising and more specifically swimming naked is not only good for you but now seems to be demonstrably better for the planet as well.

Accepting that not all locations have climates suitable for regular nudity, for those living in locations where clothing is essential against the harsh elements, the use of natural fibres such as cotton or wool should be a priority.

Perhaps it is time for those who do live in suitable climates to be allowed to wear nothing as a genuine clothing choice.  At the very least, swimming naked should become the norm rather than the exception.  If councils and municipalities are serious about their effects on the environment then all public swimming facilities should be clothing optional.

It would seem to be the environmentally responsible thing to do.  No other living creature on the planet needs synthetic yoga pants or swimwear.  In fact, no other living creature requires clothes of any description, but that might be a stretch too far for some people.  Body shame is a uniquely human construct and is deeply embedded into our psyche.  We aren’t going to remove that overnight.

It amuses me how many people wear body-hugging exercise gear or swimwear made from an increasingly limited fabric content, none of which leaves much to the imagination with regard to privacy and modesty, and yet insist that they could never go nude.  To all intents and purposes, they are already there.

I have long argued that naturism needs to anchor itself to something like an environmental cause and that people may be more accepting of nudity as a choice if there are clear ecological reasons.  Making naturism more about being a responsible action rather than a peculiar lifestyle choice may help counter the objections that many people hold toward it.

Today we use plastic - a material designed to last forever - for products designed to last minutes. - ANON

Thank you for reading.  Have a comfortable day.

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Next Week:

A Change in the Wind.
You have to make changes to see changes.

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Links:

Auckland University research

Yale School for the Environment report

Imperial College of London report