The University of St. Thomas

Environmental Studies Resources

Minnesota Resources

  • Public Affairs Directory: (Reference JS 423 .T85 P85)
    Published by the Citizens League, this provides directory
    information for public affairs organizations and officials in Minnesota.
  • Bridges: Minnesota's Gateway to Environmental Information
    Searchable directory to environmental information from many Minnesota state government agencies; contains full text reports.
  • Fresh Energy
    "a coalition working to improve the quality of life, the environment and the economy of Minnesota by promoting energy efficiency and the sound use of renewable energy."  A very large resource providing background and source materials on energy and environmental issues.
  • Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
    'Since 1974 the legal and scientific voice protecting and defending MN's environment.
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
    DNR mission statement: Our mission is to work with citizens to protect and manage the state's natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.
  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
    See "Publications" and "Hot Topics" for many full text reports on environmental issues.  Searchable by keyword.

  U.S. Congressional/Administrative Resources

  • Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report (online version CQ Weekly.  See also CQ Researcher)
    (available in the reference collection: Reference JK 1 .C767) 
    Excellent source for news on issues before the Congress.  Indexed on back cover of each issue, as well as in yellow index in back of book.
  • The Almanac of American Politics
    (both titles available in the reference collection)
    Reference JK 271 .B343
    Politics in America
    Reference JK 1012 .C63
    These guides provide state by state and district by district background
    on U.S. senators and representatives, including biographical data, voting
    records, interest group ratings, district profiles, etc.
  • League of Conservation Voters
    LCV follows congressional activities in the area of environmental policy.  See "Scorecards" for voting records. 
  • THOMAS
    United States Congressional information, including bills, bill status, committee reports, voting records, etc.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    See "Key Topics" and "Browse EPA Topics" for reports on environmental issues.

World Environmental Resources

Library Catalog:


Search the libraries' catalog, CLICnet, to find books held by the 8 CLIC libraries. 

Suggested subject headings:
Ecology (for more scientific oriented materials)
Ecosystem management
Environmental degradation
Environmental economics
Environmental ethics
Environmental policy
Environmental protection
Environmental sciences
Ecofeminism
Human ecology (for societal aspects of environmentalism)
Nature, effect of human beings on

Library Databases:


Use the Library databases and indexes to identify databases for this class. There are a mix of databases covering these issues. 

Other Web Resources:

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of sites on the World Wide Web devoted to environmental topics.  Following are a few which I have looked at and seem to be both legitimate and useful.  Note the frequent use of hyperbole and beware.

Directories:

Envirolink
"EnviroLink is a non-profit organization... a grassroots online community that unites hundreds of organizations and volunteers around the world with millions of people in more than 150 countries. EnviroLink is dedicated to providing comprehensive, up-to-date environmental information and news."

Environmental Resources on the Internet
This site is reviewed and maintained by librarian Robert Battenfeld, Long Island University

National Library for the Environment
Great collection of resources, most in full text, including reports from the Congressional Research Service and over 300 journals.

Organizations:

Earth First!
Radical environmental organization - "No Compromise in Defense of Mother Earth."

Environmental Defense Fund
"Environmental Defense Fund is a leading national nonprofit organization
representing more than 300,000 members. Since 1967, we have linked
science, economics, and law to create innovative, equitable, and
cost-effective solutions to the most urgent environmental problems."

Friends of the Earth
"Friends of the Earth is a national environmental organization dedicated to preserving the health and diversity of the planet for future generations. As the largest international environmental network in the world with affiliates in 63 countries, Friends of the Earth empowers citizens to have an influential voice in decisions affecting their environment."

Greenpeace International
"An independent, campaigning organization using non-violent, creative
confrontation to expose global environmental problems. "

National Resources Defense Council
"NRDC uses law, science, and the support of more than 400,000 members nationwide to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things."

Nature Conservancy
"The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive."

Resources for the Future
"Resources for the Future is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization based
in the nation's capital that conducts independent research -- rooted
primarily in economics and other social sciences -- on environmental and
natural resource issues."  See "Research Areas" and "Library" for research reports.

Sierra Club
A non-profit member-supported, public interest organization that promotes
conservation of the natural environment by influencing public policy decisions.

Worldwatch Institute
"The Worldwatch Institute offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary research, global focus, and accessible writing that has made it a leading source of information on the interactions among key environmental, social, and economic trends."  They have a tendency to sell their documents, but you will find some informative press releases.  Good quality publications.

Contact: Susan Price for more help.  sdprice@stthomas.edu or 962-5011.

Updated: May 28, 2008.