TreeHugger Tip: Craig Newmark on Using Less

Craigslist Founder, Craig Newmark on his TreeHugger Habits

Craig Newmark, Founder of Craigslist, was kind enough to send in a short video for our TreeHugger Tips series explaining the small things he does out of concern for the environment. He touches on conserving resources by using less stuff and reusing what he can.

If you can't view the video, there's a transcript after the jump.

Some environmentalists deride small steps such as these as ineffective and even suggest they are counter-productive, but I think small steps can and do make a difference. Craig trying to use less stuff, Gary Vaynerchuk carpooling or Tomm Stanley making his fridge more efficient may not be radical or representative of the swift changes in government policy or consumer behavior some - myself included - would like to see, but wouldn't we rather have people at least trying to do what they can to make a difference, as opposed to not trying at all?

What do you think?I agree that small steps alone won't solve the environmental and energy crises we face, but I do think they have their place in the solution. To develop a sustainable society, we'll need a combination of help from citizen actions, private industry, government-led programs, as well as massive consumer-driven change. And while alone, they aren't the final solution, small steps are a part of it.

How are you 'going green'?
What are some of the things you are doing to help make a difference? Are you active politically? Are you making your business 'go green'? Have you talked friends into recycling? Big or small, please share. If you'd like to make a video (or videos) explaining what you do, email those to video-tips @ treehugger dot com and we'll share it with our readers.

If you weren't able to view the video above, here is the transcript:

"Hey, this is Craig Newmark. I do customer service at Craigslist, also Founder. I really need to do better regarding environmental concerns. But for now, my focus is on using as less stuff as possible, reusing what I can and just trying to take other small measures, whatever seems to make sense. For example, I try to use as little paper as I can, printing out very little. I try to use as little water and electricity as I can. Not enough, but I'm trying. In addition, I'm trying to reuse as much as I can, particularly when it comes to all the electronics that I consume, and frankly that I consume at work. I'm trying really hard to make a difference in other areas. For example, normally the way I get to work is either the 6 or 43 bus here in San Francisco or the N Judah train. And finally I got a car. You need one in my area. Public transportation is almost good, but my old beat-up Prius is almost 7 years old with 32,000 miles, most of which are from friends using the car. I need to do better, I'm trying and I'll try better in the future."

For the rest of this series, visit TreeHugger Video Tips.


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