LibGuides: IMPACT: Environmental Research: 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"

LOCAL - Montgomery County and Maryland Environmental Groups

Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
"The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water and land in a sustainable way while fostering smart growth, a thriving economy and healthy communities."
Maryland Department of the Environment
"In 1987, the Maryland Department of the Environment was created to protect and preserve the state's air, water and land resources and safeguard the environmental health of Maryland's citizens. MDE's duties also encompass enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, long-term planning and research. MDE provides technical assistance to Maryland industry and communities for pollution and growth issues and environmental emergencies."
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
"Serving as a watchdog, we fight for effective, science-based solutions to the pollution degrading the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. Our motto, "Save the Bay," is a regional rallying cry for pollution reduction throughout the Chesapeake's six-state, 64,000-square-mile watershed, which is home to more than 18 million people and 3,000 species of plants and animals."

NATIONAL - U.S. Government Websites

White House - Energy & Environment
This is the official White House environmental page where statements, executive orders, news clips, and releases about environmental issues 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.

NATIONAL - Media Websites Focused on the Environment

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.
Fox News - Climate Change page
Fox News collects its articles about Climate Change on this page.

GLOBAL - Advocacy Organizations & Think Tank Websites

Environmental Defense Fund
"We address today's most urgent environmental challenges by targeting issues that affect people around the world. Working in partnership with others, we focus where we're best positioned to help, based on our strengths."
Greenpeace
"Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future."
Natural Resources Defense Council
"NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends."
Nature Conservancy
Its mission is to "conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends." The Conservancy pursues non confrontational, pragmatic solutions to conservation's challenges, working with partners including indigenous communities, businesses, governments, multilateral institutions, and other non-profits.
Sierra Club
Founded by legendary conservationist, John Muir, in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. It is highly influential globally, despite its U.S. roots.
United Nations Environment Programme - Explore UN Environment Topics
"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."
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
"On 1 January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Over the next fifteen years, with these new Goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind."
World Resources Institute - Topics Page
"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
"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."