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UMD graduate creates an environmental blog
BY CORY CLAESON
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ISSUE: 78/20
Looking for a place to talk about environmental issues in and around the Duluth community? The EcoBlog, created by Jonathan Tupper, an environmental studies graduate, kicked off in December, in the hopes to do just that. The EcoBlog is designed for students to have a place to talk on campus about environmental issues. The issues can be something a person sees, an event or just an opinion. Tupper said he designed the EcoBlog because students lacked a place to talk about the environment on campus.
“It’s important for students to voice their opinion about environmental issues,” said senior Ashley Stevens. The blog is open to everyone, and Tupper encourages students to join. The blog only requires that students gain permission from Tupper to post. “The blog has been very well received,” said Tupper. According to Tupper, the EcoBlog has had a lot of success and can be found at the UMD home page.
“I’m supportive of helping the environment and I think it’s a good idea,” said freshman Rachel Bassett. However, this isn’t the only EcoBlog. There are blogs all over the country that talk about the environment; the EcoBlog is just one of the latest. UMD also has a closely related Web site called “Adding Up To Zero,” which is based on the environment. Tupper admits that the EcoBlog is “not a new idea,” but was needed in the Duluth area.
Tupper said the idea to form the blog came up last semester, and he worked hard to get it started in December. “I wanted it to be something new to students this semester,” he said. The EcoBlog also connects users to other environmental Web sites and blogs, such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and UMD’s “Adding Up To Zero.” In addition to the Web sites, past postings can be viewed in archives.
Any environmental topic can be posted, which increases awareness of the environmental issues in the Duluth community. Bloggers will not be criticized for writing what they believe about an environmental issue. “The blog is not used to bash people, but for the students to hear different opinions,” said Tupper. For the EcoBlog to be effective, the blog needs faculty, staff and students to join and interact, according to Tupper. “I’m excited about the success,” he said.
