stlouisgreen.com spreads green gospel

Well into the dot-com era, we have immediate access to information about everything we could possibly envision. A common problem, though, is that despite the availability of information out there (and despite powerful, wide-reaching search engines), people still have difficulties filtering through the mess. Where exactly could you purchase eco-friendly furniture made with FSC-certified wood? Is there such a company in St. Louis who deals with termite and mold control that is safe for humans and pets? What “green” events are happening in your neighborhood?

Craig Jung, founder of stlouisgreen.com, a recently-established website for local “green” businesses, events, jobs, and various other resources, believes that there had been a disconnect within the St. Louis community: “Everybody kept asking the same thing. What do we need to do, where do we need to go, where is the information for this particular event?” Even those already committed to “sustainability” efforts—that is, products, processes, and events that lessen the negative effects on the environment—had a challenge finding relevant, local information. “The information is out there, but people don’t know how to find it, even people within the green industry,” said Jung. It would be especially difficult for someone unfamiliar with the green lifestyle who may otherwise be intimidated by how s/he can help.

Jung claims that you can be as green as you want to be: “What we like to do is brainstorm about ways to reduce. It could be as simple as not using a straw when you dine or using your own cup when you purchase fountain drinks or coffee. When you think about it, if you turn off your faucet while you brush your teeth or shave, or if you turn off the lights when you leave a room, you’re helping conserve a lot of energy.” Another example suggested by elementary students was to use both sides of the paper when turning in homework. Some opt for large-scale endeavors such as buying an efficient hybrid-electric vehicle or adding a geodesic dome to your home, but every effort toward sustainability is cumulative. The point is that there are plenty of opportunities for us to reduce our consumption.

Along with stlouisgreen.com, Jung runs the nonprofit organization Greenside Up! Productions that aims to spread the word about sustainability. In the past, the Greenside Up! Productions have produced educational videos about building outdoor classrooms. Jung plans on continuing to produce educational videos to be posted on stlouisgreen.com. In addition, Jung wants to expand the feature-set on the website to include blogs and podcasts, as well as a database to facilitate easy searching. There will also be more networking events such as the launch party (a few weeks ago) that brought out over 800 people.

Practicing what he preaches, Jung runs a sustainable enterprise whenever possible. Besides him, there are three volunteer interns who manage the day-to-day matters. The furniture in the office was bought used. Promotional listings on the website (for general information, jobs, and events) are provided free of charge, as long as they meet a few green criteria. Through web advertisements and sponsorships, stlouisgreen.com is able to sustain the rest of its operations.

With global warming a perpetual concern in the news, Americans are undoubtedly becoming consumed with developing eco-friendly habits. Sometimes, people feel that the problem is too big, and thus, the solution is outside of our hands. Thanks to Craig Jung and stlouisgreen.com, St. Louisans can no longer use the excuse of “I don’t know what to do or where to go,” and St. Louisans already involved in going green now have a singular site that caters to local green concerns.