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Sustainability Research

Explore Topic Ideas

Several of the library's Research Starter databases can help you explore topic ideas related to the three pillars of sustainability. Each of the links listed here takes you into a different database. Once in the database, you can explore more specific topics. The content in each database will vary so try exploring a few of them.

If you've already chosen a topic, a CQ Researcher report or Topic Page from one of the "in Context" databases will give you a solid understanding of the issue and get you started finding sources.

CQ Researcher
A list of topics in the Environment, Climate and Natural Resources category. CQ Research reports provide an in-depth look at multiple sides of an issue. Most recent topics will be at the top; pay attention to publication dates.
Gale in Context: Environmental Studies
Hundreds of topic pages related to environmental studies. Each topic page provides an overview and many different full text articles and content from a wide variety of sources, including Academic Journals, Audio, Videos, News, and more.
Global Issues in Context
The Environment and Climate Change category in this database has topic pages on numerous topics from a global perspective, instead of just the U.S.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context This link opens in a new window
This Gale database provides information covering today's hottest social issues. It contains pro/con viewpoints, magazine & newspaper articles, scholarly journal articles, reference articles, and more.
This Gale resource provides more than 20,100 pro/con viewpoints covering today’s hottest social issues and more than 19,200 reference articles, including topic overviews, charts and graphs, and statistical information. It contains over 300 profiles of federal agencies and special-interest groups and offers a dedicated portal focused on the annual debate topic determined by the National Speech and Debate Association. It provides access to full-text newspapers and periodicals from multiple perspectives, including National Review, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Commentary, and CNN Wire. This is a great resource for background research on topics to gain different perspectives.

Science in Context
The Earth and Environmental Science category has topic pages that focus on issues from a scientific perspective and includes Magazines, News, Academic Journals and Reference articles.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

"The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice." (From UN SDG website.)

These goals may prompt ideas for areas to research related the pillars of sustainability.

Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals
Explains each of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and suggests specific actions that can be taken to achieve each goal.