Recommended Reference Sources
Need some introductory info?
Youtube Video - How to Get Started with Online Encyclopedias
Recommended Web Sources
- Carbon Footprint Calculator from The Nature ConservancyThis carbon footprint calculator is powered by the CoolClimate Network at the University of California at Berkeley.
- Center for Climate Change and Energy SolutionsC2ES (Successor to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change) provides trustworthy information and works to unite policy makers around the world to promote clean energy and laws to protect climate impact
- Sustainability DictionaryUseful resource for field definitions, out of the Presidio Graduate School
- Sustainable Development GoalsThe official goals for sustainability from the UN - read more of their partnerships, news, and progress here
- National Geographic - EnvironmentNews, stories, and beautiful images from National Geographic, focusing on the environment
Special Resources: Sustainability Resources for West Michigan
- Kalamazoo River Watershed CouncilTheir mission is to work collaboratively with the community, government agencies, local officials, and businesses to improve and protect the health of the Kalamazoo River, its tributaries, and its watershed.
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and EnergyEGLE promotes " wise management of Michigan's air, land, and water resources to support a sustainable environment, healthy communities, and vibrant economy."
- Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and PremiersThrough the GSGP, state governors work collectively to ensure that the entire Great Lakes region is both economically sound and environmentally conscious in addressing today's problems and tomorrow's challenges.
- Great Lakes CommissionSince its establishment over 50 years ago, the Great Lakes Commission has been a pioneer in applying principles of sustainability to the development, use and conservation of the natural resources of the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River.
- Great Lakes EchoGLE is a non-profit project of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at MSU that strives to deliver environmental news in a way that fosters community, interaction and understanding among U.S. and Canadian residents of the Great Lakes region.
- Great Lakes Environmental CenterGLEC is an established national contracting firm offering applied environmental sciences, research, and compliance assistance focused on water quality and the protection of aquatic ecosystems by serving both regulatory agencies and the community.
- Great Lakes CoastWatch (NOAA)CoastWatch is part of a nationwide program which obtains, produces and delivers environmental data and products for near real-time observation of the Great Lakes to support environmental science, decision making, and supporting research.
- Greater Grand Rapids Sierra ClubThe purposes of SCMW are to enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's resources; and to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the earth.
- City of Grand Rapids: Office of Energy & SustainabilityThe Office of Energy and Sustainability coordinates the City’s efforts in energy efficiency, sustainability, conservation and renewable energy.
- Bike Action Plan, 2018On-going project in the Grand Rapids area to support bike traffic by improving and creating more, different kinds of lanes
- Sustainability at Calvin - integral to our missionSustainability efforts at Calvin are rooted both in the university's heritage and reformed mission. They are also strategic. The current strategic plan embraces and enacts environmental sustainability as a core value.
- Calvin Environmental Assessment Program (CEAP)CEAP is a collaborative effort of faculty across Calvin's campus whose focus is the understanding of the local ecosystem. CEAP encourages an ethic of service and caretaking by helping students pay attention to that which is closest at hand - the world we live in.
- Kill-A-WattEvery January, the residence halls participate in kill-a-watt, an annual creation care awareness and energy program. The aims of the program are to foster a mindset of sustainability among the residents of the university's dorms.
Special Resource: Social Explorer
- Social Explorer Libguide: Environmental ScienceSocial Explorer is a data visualization tool that brings you allows you to create cool, interactive data maps. You can analyze a variety of characteristics - voting, poverty, aging populations, ethnicity and race, spending patterns, health indicators, crime, environment, education, and more - over time in different cities, regions, and countries. Check out their guide for more information on how to create data maps and tap their resources for your sustainability studies research: