Pantless in Guangdong - Commuters Strip for the Environment

An amusing piece of silliness from down south was reported in the Guardian this morning. According to the article: “A group of environmental exhibitionists – none of whom had ever met before – stripped down to their pants and boxers inside a Guangdong subway carriage yesterday to promote awareness about sustainable consumption.”

The article continues: “The organiser, Liang Shuxin – an online sales manager – said the action was deliberately provocative. "In a shocking way, we achieved our goal," he told the Guardian. "There has been a lot of debate and some people have criticised me. But this was an avant garde way to draw attention to a low-carbon lifestyle.’”

The happening was reportedly inspired by the annual “No Pants Subway Ride” organized by the Improv Everywhere group in the U.S. You can read about their 2010 event on January 10 here. While the action in Guangdong had an underlining environmental message, the events in the US are described by Improv Everywhere as “a celebration of silliness.”

Going without pants in Guangdong is one thing, but how about repeating the event in Beijing during winter? Now that would show real dedication to the cause.