LibGuides: Human Geography: Environmental Policy Debate: WEBSITES

Using websites for research

Websites can be reliable information sources, but you must evaluate them before citing them for an assignment. For every website, consider:

Currency (look for a date)
Relevance (appropriate for academic work)
Authority (purpose or organization with expertise)
Accuracy (fact based)
Purpose (educational, commercial)

CRAAP Test
Ask the questions in the CRAAP test to evaluate whether a website is reliable.

Suggested Keywords

Although this is not a comprehensive list, here are a few terms to look for when researching President Trump's environmental policies:

energy

"climate change"

"global warming"

"fossil fuel production"

deregulation

regulation

"Clean Power Plan"

"Paris Climate Treaty"

"Dakota Access Pipeline"

fracking

"clean power plan"

"national monuments"

drilling

"offshore oil"

"public land"

"endangered species"

U.S. Government Websites

White House - Energy & Environment
This is the official White House environmental page where statements, executive orders, news clips, releases from President Trump are collected.
Environmental Protection Agency - Regulatory Information By Topic
The EPA website explains the various legislations that are implemented by the U.S. government related to the environment. At the top of the page there is a link to a snapshot of the EPA site on the last day of the Obama administration. You can compare policies to understand recent changes.
Department of Energy
The Department of Energy manages the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material.
Department of the Interior
The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities.
USA.gov
This is the clearinghouse for all U.S. government information, including federal, state, and local government agencies. Do a keyword search to see how a variety of U.S. agencies are discussing a topic. If you do a keyword search and add the term "AND STATISTICS" to your search, you can find many different statistics collected by the U.S. government.
U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity.

Media Websites

National Geographic - "A Running List of How Trump Is Changing the Environment"
This article by a National Geographic science writer focused on the actions that President Trump has taken related to environmental policy.
CNN - 5 major changes to US environmental policy in 2017
December 2017 article reviewing changes made to environmental policies during the Trump administration's first year.
NYT - 67 Environmental Rules on the Way Out Under Trump
Washington Post - Energy and Environment Topic Page
The Washington Post newspaper collects its articles about the environment and climate change on this topic page. Content is curated by Chris Mooney and other environment-focused writers at the WP.
New York Times - Global Warming & Climate Change Topic Page
New York Times collects all its articles related to global warming and climate change on this one page. Do a search for TRUMP on this page to get information about the President's views on the issue.
Fox News - Climate Change page
Fox News collects its articles about Climate Change on this page.

Advocacy Organizations & Think Tank Websites

These organizations create articles, research, and reports that take a perspective on environmental issues.

AGREE = In favor of Trump administration policies

DISAGREE = Not in favor of Trump administration policies

Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) - Energy & Environment page
AGREE - "CEI's largest program takes on all the hard energy and climate issues. CEI questions global warming alarmism, makes the case for access to affordable energy, and opposes energy-rationing policies, including the Paris Climate Treaty, Kyoto Protocol, cap-and-trade legislation, and EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. CEI also opposes all government mandates and subsidies for conventional and alternative energy technologies."
CATO Institute - Energy & Environment
AGREE - The Cato Institute is an American libertarian think tank with a moderate right wing bias that is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th- century England that presented a vision of society free from excessive government power.
Hoover Institution
AGREE - The Hoover Institution is an American public policy think tank and research institution located at Stanford University in California. The Hoover Institution has a right-center bias in reporting and political affiliation. They also have published some articles that do not support the consensus of science. (7/14/2016)
Institute for Energy Research
AGREE - "The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets. IER maintains that freely-functioning energy markets provide the most efficient and effective solutions to today’s global energy and environmental challenges and, as such, are critical to the well-being of individuals and society."
Sierra Club
DISAGREE - Founded by legendary conservationist, John Muir, in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Their website contains many reactions to President Trump's environmental policies from a conservationist perspective.
World Resources Institute - Topics Page
DISAGREE - "WRI is a global research organization that spans more than 50 countries, with offices in the United States, China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and more. Our more than 700 experts and staff work closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action to sustain our natural resources—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being. Our work focuses on six critical issues at the intersection of environment and development: climate, energy, food, forests, water, and cities and transport."
World Wildlife Fund
DISAGREE - "The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by more than one million members in the United States and close to five million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature."
United Nations Environment Programme - Explore UN Environment Topics
DISAGREE - "The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment."