Getting Started
Explore these websites and ZSR resources below to help conduct background research as well as inspire, direct, and provide context for the development of your research question and approach.
- United Nations' Sustainable Development GoalsThese 17 goals were developed out of the 2015, "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" which highlight 17, interlinked global goals designed to achieve a better, more sustainable future for all.
- Sage Journals: Research & Ideas Aligned to the UN Sustainable Development GoalsThis collection gathers articles to support and amplify key themes of the UN SDGs.
- University of Leeds - Ideas for Sustainability Research ProjectsWhile some of these ideas and links are specific to the University of Leeds community in the United Kingdom, this comprehensive research guide provides ideas and inspiration that may also serve to inspire your own unique research.
- College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University - Sustainability Research TopicsDeveloped by Librarian Jonathan Carlson at the College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University in Minnesota, this guide provides same research ideas that, while specific to the CSB & SJU community, could provide inspiration for your own unique idea and context.
- Berkshire Encyclopedia of SustainabilityGood starting place to identify terms, topics
- CQ ResearcherCQ Researcher provides in-depth coverage of the most important issues of the day. Reports are written by experienced journalists, footnoted and professionally fact-checked. Full-length articles include an overview, historical background, chronology, pro/con feature, plus resources for additional research.
- Harvard Business School - Working Knowledge on Environment SustainabilityNew research on environmental sustainability from Harvard Business School faculty on issues including the role of companies to mitigate climate change, corporate social responsibility, reporting to stakeholders, government relations and development of Chief Sustainability Officers.
NGOs & Think Tanks
- NGO Custom Google SearchSearches terms across various NGO websites.
- Custom Think Tank Google SearchProvides a listing of and search across hundreds of US and international Think Tanks.
Environment & Sustainability Organizations
- Wake Forest Office of SustainabilityThe Office of Sustainability facilitates the integration of sustainability at all levels of the university, from students to the highest levels of the administration. Office staff and interns work with local and regional community representatives to develop synergies between Wake Forest’s sustainability programs and those larger communities.
- Sustainability (EPA)The Sustainability Program of EPA covers areas relating to: Safe and Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Water, Air, Climate and Energy, and Safer Products for a Sustainable World.
- National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)This web site promotes small-scale, local, sustainable, and appropriate technological solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.
- Campus Greening (The National Wildlife Federation)The National Wildlife Federation’s higher education program develops and supports the next generation of environmental leaders by working with colleges and universities to protect wildlife and habitat on campus, and improve green educational programming, and implement on-site initiatives that provide students the knowledge and skills needed to be the leaders of tomorrow. Check out the "Resource Center" for reports and articles.
- Education for Sustainable Development (UNESCO)Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers learners of all ages with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to address the interconnected global challenges we are facing, including climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, poverty and inequality.
ZSR Databases
- Environment CompleteProvides coverage in applicable areas of agriculture, ecosystem ecology, energy, renewable energy sources, natural resources, marine & freshwater science, pollution & waste management, environmental technology, environmental law, urban planning, and more.
- GreenFileCovers aspects of human impact to the environment. Includes scholarly, government and general-interest titles on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more. Indexing and abstracts, with some full text.
- ProQuest Environmental Science CollectionFull-text articles covering all aspects of environmental science, including ecology, sustainability, pollution, water management, and other areas.
- Social Sciences Citation IndexLimited specifically to the Social Sciences, citation searching within this database allows a researcher to use a given work as a subject term in order to identify more recent articles about the same topic.
Data and Statistics
- Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)CIESIN works at the intersection of the social, natural, and information sciences, and specializes in on-line data and information management, spatial data integration and training, and interdisciplinary research related to human interactions in the environment (Columbia University).
- State Environmental Agencies (EPA)Data found within these state level organizations can often be further broken down by geographic region such as Zip Code, City, and/or County
- Carbon Disclosure Project Open Data PortalFind datasets as far back as 2011 on climate-related risks and opportunities, emissions, mitigation, adaptation, energy and water in cities, states and regions worldwide.
- Location-Specific Environmental Information (EPA)EPA has Regional offices that have a responsibility to oversee the execution of EPA programs within several states and territories, and partners with state and local government. Many resources listed here allow you to search by zip code for local data.
- Climate Data Online (NOAA)Climate Data Online (CDO) provides free access to NCDC's archive of global historical weather and climate data in addition to station history information. These data include quality controlled daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly measurements of temperature, precipitation, wind, and degree days as well as radar data and 30-year Climate Normals.
- Statistical Abstract of the United States (ProQuest)The ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political and economic conditions of the United States.
- Data PlanetWith Data Planet, you can scan and search the contents of billions of datasets, compare and contrast variables of interest, and create customized views in tables, maps, rankings, and charts. Views also include descriptive summaries of the datasets and data sources.
- N.C. State Center for Health StatisticsThe North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics is responsible for data collection, health-related research, production of reports and maintenance of a comprehensive collection of health statistics in North Carolina.
Librarian
Librarian
General Search Strategy Suggestion(s)
Using any of the search terms below in combination with other terms like "higher education" or other specific context can help illuminate research related to your idea in any of the article databases and resources highlighted on this guide. Use these terms to help you brainstorm other relevant search terms.
Note: Truncation symbols are often used in databases. When you use the * symbol at the end of sustain* for example, results will contain alternative endings such as sustain, sustainable, sustainability. When you use double quotes " ", results will look for the exact phrase.
| General: | Agriculture: | Construction: | Climate: | Fuel/Automobiles: |
| "green movement" sustainability sustain* |
"green agriculture" "sustainable agriculture" "factory farming" "local food" or "food market" locavore |
"green building" "low impact development" LEED Certif* "rain gardens" "green roofs" |
"global warming" "climate change" "greenhouse gases" "ozone layer" "ozone hole" |
"fossil fuels" "electric vehicles" zero polution Prius, Volt, or Leaf |
Many thanks to the Librarians at Willamette University for their excellent research guide on Sustainability Topics.