Background Information

• Encyclopedia Britannica:
• Wikipedia:General overview from the encyclopedia anyone can edit.  

NOTE: Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia can help you familiarize yourself with a subject, but are not considered appropriate, citeable sources for a college-level research paper.

Key Databases

• Academic Search Complete: Comprehensive scholarly, multi-disciplinary full-text database.
• Greenfile (EBSCO): accessible information on the relationship between human beings and the environment, including coverage of popular topics ranging from global warming to recycling to alternate fuel sources and beyond.

• InfoTrac Agriculture Collection: Current and authoritative content that spans the industry from practical aspects of farming to cutting edge scientific research in horticulture.

• InfoTrac Environmental Issues & Policy Collection:  Focusing on environmental issues and policy, including perspectives from the scientific community, governmental policy makers, as well as corporate interests.

• InfoTrac Garden, Landscape & Horticulture Collection: Key issues in gardening, landscaping, and other areas of horticulture. Includes information on both the practical aspects as well as the scientific theory of horticulture studies.  

Recommended Websites for Environmental Studies

• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The Government's environmental regulatory body, the EPA develops and enforces regulations, funds environmental programs, and studies and makes recommendations regarding environmental problem. 
• EPA on Climate Change: Current and uptodate information on Climate Change.
• Energy Information Administration: Official energy statistics on all natural resources (electricity, natural gas, alternative energy, petroleum) as well as forecasting and trends from the US Government. 
• US Department of Energy Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Provides a variety of sources including tools for residential and commercial use and information about alternative energy programs in a multiple areas (solar, wind, transporation, federal agencies, etc).
• National Academy of Science Website on Climate Change: Analysis and advice to policymakers and stakeholders through expert reports that are produced by committees of the nation's top scientists, engineers, and other experts who are convened to address key scientific and technical aspects of climate change and other topics. 
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).  Reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change. 
• World Resources Institute:  Environmental think tank that focuses on four major areas: People & Ecosystems, Governance, Climate Protection, Markets & Enterprise.
• Pew Center on Global Climate Change: an independent organization that brings together scientists, policy makers, and business to focus on producing credible information and pragmatic solutions.  
• Union for Concerned Scientists: science-based non-profit.  Website includes explanation of technologies, regional news, and reports.
• Yale Environment 360: Includes both opinion pieces and scientific research.  Search by topic or by region.  From Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.  

 Journals

• Key Journals Available Online in Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Key Journals Available at the Library:
  • Environment
  • Vermont Nature
  • Science
  • Discover

Books and E-Books 

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Contact us with questions

Page Author:  Sarah Cohen 

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