Green Resources
From Simmons Library Research Guides
Contents |
Background and Reference Information
Search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
- The Green Guide
From National Geographic, this online source provides green living tips, product reviews, and environmental health news.
- Down to Basics
Information and resources about sustainability and the environment that help you make "greener" decisions in your daily life.
- GreenFILE
Simmons Eresource
GreenFILE offers well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact to the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more. The database provides indexing and abstracts for approximately 295,000 records, as well as Open Access full text for more than 4,600 records.
- Going Green: Interactive Quiz and Information from the Mcgraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
This is a great online resource that allows you to test your knowledge of environmental topics while you learn the science and technology involved. Check out the Mcgraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (in the Beatley Reference collection: REF Q121 .M3 2007) for more on the topics covered.
- Dictionary of Ecology
Simmons Eresource
Has a very similar format to the Dictionary of Earth Sciences, also from Oxford. Type any ecological term into the search bar, for an extensive, informative definition. Also features email and print options, as well as a search expansion to find related terms. Accessible from home.
- Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Environmental Change
Level 1 Reference GE10 .E534 2001
Formatted like a dictionary, but as informative as an encyclopedia, this reference work covers all terminology having to do with the earth's environmental changes. All of the terms in this book are listed alphabetically, and are often accompanied by illustrations, maps, and charts which help expand the concepts of the definition.
- Environmental Encyclopedia
Level 1 Reference GE10 .E38 2003
This two-volume reference work does not just define scientific terms -- it discusses everything that has had an affect on the environment in great detail. The entries cover all sorts of diverse topics ranging from the historical (the Homestead Act of 1862) to the scientific (an entry about incineration, complete with a diagram illustrating how it works), to entries on every day acts that have environmental affects, such as lawn treatment.
Calculators
- My Footprint
Your "carbon footprint" is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This interactive tool estimates the size of your ecological footprint.
- Carbon Calculator
This worksheet determines how much carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, your lifestyle generates each year, then offers suggestions for reducing that figure.
- Offline Carbon Footprint Calculator
This is a spreadsheet you can maintain to accurate calculate your carbon footprint over time.
- Emissions Reduction Calculator
This resource helps you determine how much pollution you can prevent and money you can save by changing your energy use habits.
- Airhead: Emissions Calculator
Use this calculator to determine which of your travel destinations are “greener” than others by inputting miles flown, driven or walked in any particular month.
- The Scorecard
The Scorecard lets you input your Zip code and get a detailed report about pollution in your area, and how it compares to other counties in the U.S.
- Water Calculator
This calculator determines about how much water your household uses per day, month and year, and how much you could save through conservation strategies.
- Paper Calculator
This calculator lets organizations determine, based on the type of paper used, how much wood and energy you consume and how much greenhouse gases, wastewater and solid waste you generate. Powered by the Environmental Defense Fund.
Green Product Directories and Guides
- Green Seal
"Green Seal provides science-based environmental certification standards that are credible, transparent, and essential in an increasingly educated and competitive marketplace. Our industry knowledge and standards help manufacturers, purchasers, and end users alike make responsible choices that positively impact business behavior and improve quality of life."
- Consumer Reports Greener Choices
This site includes several guides to help consumers make more sustainable choices. There are product rating guides, e-recycling guides, calculators, and a toxin guides.
- Green Products Guide
This is a comprehensive page covering all sorts of resources related to environmental products, green shopping, and green services. The list includes sites that rate or sell green cleaning products, environmental ecological product supply, green design products, green food products, green maintenance products, environmentally safe products, as well as guides for green-shopping, portals for green-shopping, more environmental shopping sites, alternative gifts, and marketing.
- MetaEfficient: The Optimal Green Guide
This is a guide to green products, including reviews and comparisons of green products such as lightbulbs, cleaning supplies, and computer equipment.
- Reusable Bags
This is a guide to eco-friendly reusable bags, including plus facts and news on plastic bag issues, plus strategies of how to make container choices that have a positive (or don't have a negative effect) on the environment.
Media
- e Magazine
A bimonthly magazine containing news, and resources with an environmental focus.
- TreeHugger
Online multimedia site with green news, videos and blogs.
- Home Power Magazine
This magazine featuring green energy techniques and tips, has a rich online site containing articles and on solar, wind and hydroelectric power for the home.
- Organic Gardening
A Great web resource for the organic gardener. Contains articles and how-to's on a variety of subjects related to organic gardening.
- Natural Home Magazine
Both a print and online magazine, Natural Home's focus is on sustainable home design, materials and décor.
Special Topics
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Call2Recycle
Use this handy form to find out where to recycle batteries or cellphones in your neighborhood.
- The Importance of Recycling
This site, developed by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), gives waste statistics and other recycling info. It also includes links to EPA reports on reducing waste.
- Earth 911
This rich online site provides local and national information on a variety of environmental issues including recycling centers and beach water quality.
- Freecycle Network
For when you need to get rid of that bean bag chair or furnish that first apartment. A great alternative to the curb, Freecycle is an email service listing free items in your area.
- Reduce.org
This site provides information about paper and garbage productions, with strategies on how to reduce both.
- Conservatree
This source provides information on locating and utilizing more sustainable paper.
Energy
- EnergyStar Home Tool
This tool features an animated tour of a typical home, with pop-up tips for improved energy efficiency throughout every room.
- EnergyStar Guide
Use this guide to select the most energy-efficient appliances for your home.
- Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings
This resource provide the information about and strategies for reducing energy use in your home.
- Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living
Maintained by David Darling, this resource provides accurate information about the issues and technologies that support sustainable living.
- The Home Energy Saver
A "do-it-yourself" energy audit. This source helps you identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen.
- Alliance to Save Energy Consumer Guide
Another resource that helps consumers "to save money, increase comfort, and even reduce pollution through energy efficiency."
- Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
A local (Northeastern United States) "organization of professionals working in sustainable energy, whole-systems thinking and green technologies. NESEA advances the adoption and practical application of sustainable, low carbon energy practices."
- Solar Energy Technologies Evaluator
This resource offers interactive tools that assist in the process of adopting energy-efficient and solar electric technologies and products.
- Database of Incentives for Renewables and Efficiencies
"DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency."
Water
- EPA's Watersense
The EPA's Watersense provides water efficiency resources to help consumers choose more efficient products and services.
Food and Organics
- Eating Green Calculator
This interactive tool helps you determine how your diet effects your health and the environment.
- Score Your Diet
This is another tool that allows you to compute your diet's effect on the environment and your health, and also on animal welfare.
- Seafood Selection Guide
This is a pocket guide that helps you select the healthiest, most sustainable seafood.
Greenhouse Gases
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative
This site provides Greenhouse Gas standards and protocols for the world's governments and corporations. Contains many links to Greenhouse Gas policy on a worldwide and national level.
Transportation
- Fuel Economy
Brought to you by the Department of Energy, Fuel Economy helps consumers make educated choices when owning and operating vehicles. The site provides a wealth of information including fuel-economy estimates, vehicle ratings and fuel-saving tips.
- Electric Drive Transportation Association
- Green Car: Electric and Hybrid Cars
Home Building
- Sustainable Building Sourcebook
- ERE Consumer Guide: Designing and Remodeling a Home
Whether you are building or remodeling, this guide will help you decide what options are the most sustainable and scalable for your project.
- Pharos: Signaling the Future of Materials Selection
- Green Building Supply
- Environmental Home Center
- Building Materials Reuse Association
- Health Building Network
Kids
Gardening
Green Investing
Organizations and Advocacy
- Environmental Directory
An online directory of more than 13,000 organizations in the United States concerned with environmental issues and environmental education.
- National Wildlife Federation
- Sierra Club
- Clean Up the World
A service of the United Nations Environment Programme, Clean Up the World works with communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment. - Environmental Defense Fund
- Friends of the Earth
- Greenpeace USA
- National Resources Defense Council
