Lewis University | Wellness

Sustainability Resources you need to know

There is hardly any aspect of modern life that isn’t affected by the current problems facing the environment. As we learn more about how human behavior is harming the planet, we’re creating new ways to educate, reflect, and innovate. This resource center features 45 noteworthy resources on sustainability.

Green Living

  1. Zero Waste Home
    zerowastehome.com

    This site offers resources on sustainable products, event schedules, and a free bulk finder to access package-free locations. Zero Waste Home is recognized as a reputable, trusted resource by publications such as the BBC, CBS, and The New York Times.

  2. Inhabitat
    inhabitat.com

    A lifestyle site with a focus on green design, Inhabitat focuses mostly on environmental and design news and tips. They subscribe to a modernist ideology that form and function should be an important part of design, and sustainability is at the crux of that. Get green living news and tips here.

  3. Earth Easy
    eartheasy.com

    This comprehensive site covers everything from green gardening to off-the-grid preparedness. They specialize in an eco-friendly approach to sustainable living and have an ecommerce store where they offer a variety of products.

  4. Earth 911
    earth911.com

    Earth 911 is a comprehensive site boasting both a green living blog and an interactive forum. The site is well categorized, making it easily searchable for specific topics. Get tips, news and updates, or ask questions in the forum to get feedback from the community.

  5. Mother Nature Network
    mnn.com

    MNN is a network of sites from 200 countries, categorized by topics such as Earth Matters, Food & Drink, and Health. With a focus on family and ways the individual can make an impact, this network is a highly touted resource for sustainability issues.

  6. Going Zero Waste
    goingzerowaste.com

    This blog boasts an active community invested in living a sustainable life by eliminating waste. The brainchild of an environmental activist, this site is a great way to get started with an eco-friendly lifestyle.

  7. Get Green Be Well
    getgreenbewell.com

    Founded by green living expert Kimberly Button, this site features tips for living in an earth-friendly, toxin-free way. The site also includes a section for “Free and Cheap Green Living.”

  8. Eco Friend
    ecofriend.com

    Eco Friend is a comprehensive group of sites with a community forum. From transportation to food, they explore the ways we can all be more sustainable in our everyday lives. The sites are great for eco-friendly tech news as well.

  9. The Pistachio Project
    pistachioproject.com

    Founded by a mom of five who wanted to go green for her children, this site features wonderful sections on homesteading, green cleaning, natural health and beauty, natural parenting, and homeschooling—and great recipes.

  10. Recycle Coach
    recyclecoach.com/blog.html

    Can you recycle that? Check out this site for all the answers. Recycle Coach aims to make recycling easy for everyone. There’s also an app.

  11. Big Blog of Gardening
    bigblogofgardening.com

    On this blog, you’ll find expert advice about organic gardening, landscaping, composting, food prep, and all-natural fertilizers and pesticides.

  12. ENERGY STAR
    energystar.gov

    This site from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives you information and energy ratings for energy-efficient products and homes, as well as ways to save money on energy at home.

Climate Change and Environmental Protection News

  1. Grist
    grist.org

    This site on climate, justice, and science has an excellent blog on sustainability. It’s frequently updated and is a reputable source for news and tips.

  2. Green Blog
    ucanr.edu/blogs/green

    A property of the UC Division of Agriculture and National Resources, this sustainability site is a news source for wildfires, climate change, and other considerations. Updated frequently, it’s a consistent resource.

  3. Planet Policy
    brookings.edu/blog/planetpolicy

    This Brookings Institution site is a public resource on the intersection of energy and climate policy. They cover both national and global topics and boast renowned experts on everything from water to infrastructure.

  4. UN Sustainable Development Goals
    un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2

    The UN is recognized as a leading authority in sustainable development, and their section on Goal 13, “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts,” is a great place to find official reports and analysis. Visit the Links section for further resources.

  5. Environmental Working Group News and Analysis
    ewg.org/news-and-analysis

    The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a great site dedicated to sustainability issues that affect climate change. Get the latest from their staff of experts to “know your environment and protect your health.”

  6. Environmental Health News (EHN)
    ehn.org

    A non-profit publication of Environmental Health Sciences, EHN is focused on science in policy. Their blog is a great resource for independent reporting on sustainability issues nationwide.

  7. Climate From the Aspen Institute
    aspeninstitute.org/topics/climate

    This section of The Aspen Institute’s blog covers everything climate. From breaking news to coming events, you can stay up to date on climate change.

  8. Treehugger
    treehugger.com

    This media outlet has been reporting on sustainability for almost 15 years. Covering topics from technology to transportation to design, Treehugger is a leading source for green news and solutions.

  9. NRDC Expert Blog
    nrdc.org/blogs

    The Natural Resources Defense Council wants to safeguard the earth, and their expert blog on climate and sustainability records their efforts to do just that. Their team of experts in policy and science are a great resource on what’s happening and what’s to come in sustainability.

Energy and Technology

  1. CleanTechnica
    cleantechnica.com

    This renowned site focuses on solar power, wind power, hydropower, energy efficiency, energy storage, and clean transport, as well as climate change and nuclear power.

  2. Greentech Media
    greentechmedia.com

    Greentech Media provides articles, research, data, and analytics on the global electricity sector, as well as news and commentary on how the world generates, distributes, and consumes power.

  3. WIRED
    wired.com/tag/clean-tech

    WIRED is one of the foremost sites that examines the intersection of tech, culture, business, and science, and the section of their site tagged “clean tech” has some of the web’s most forward-thinking commentary on the subject.

  4. ScienceDaily
    sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/energy_technology

    ScienceDaily features news about everything science-related, from computers and math to astronomy and artificial intelligence. The section of the site devoted to energy technology news is where you’ll find the latest scientific discoveries and commentary in clean tech.

  5. CleanTech Group
    cleantech.com/insights/

    The blog of this research and consultancy group provides thought leadership on the topic of a more digitized, de-carbonized, and resource-efficient industrial future.

  6. Sustainability in Business and Government

  7. Office of Federal Sustainability Resources and Guidance for Federal Agencies
    sustainability.gov/resources

    While specific to federal agencies, the sources here are a snapshot of wider issues. They archive everything, and it’s all available to the public. See how sustainability has changed over the years.

  8. The Materials Management Wizard (MWiz)
    cfpub.epa.gov/mwiz

    Hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the MWiz offers quick links as well as an explore option. All materials are EPA-sourced and are “designed to support and promote sustainable materials management and community planning decisions.”

  9. The Green Infrastructure Wiz (GIWiz)
    cfpub.epa.gov/giwiz

    The cleverly named GIWiz is another EPA-hosted database with quick links and a search feature. The Offices of Research and Development, Policy, and Water collaborate to publish this catalog.

  10. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Sustainability Resources
    transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/environmental-programs/transit-environmental-sustainability/sustainability

    The FTA hosts a page of resources covering transportation issues including guidelines, industry standards, and other data. Accessible to the public, it’s a great quick-look source.

  11. Sustainable Sources
    sustainablesources.com/resources

    This site dedicated to Green building is a comprehensive resource for information on sustainable materials, building codes, government programs, and more. This 25-year-old organization is involved with everything from case studies to outside publications to local initiatives.

  12. American Society of Civil Engineers
    asce.org/sustainability-resources

    This database is searchable by keyword, topic, and product type and offers access to a variety of resources. The database is open to the public and very thorough.

  13. The Balance - Sustainable Businesses
    thebalancesmb.com/recycling-resources

    This 7,000-piece digital library dedicates a section of their site to sustainable businesses, including news, tips, and reports. It boasts a great user interface and search feature.

Sustainability Careers

  1. Environmental Science—Sustainability
    environmentalscience.org/sustainability

    Especially helpful for those looking to build a career in environment science, this nonprofit site is a reliable advocate for all things related to sustainability. Thoroughly sourced and detailed, their reporting is some of the most repeatable in the industry.

  2. Ecological Society of America
    esa.org

    Founded in 1915, this esteemed professional association is for ecologists and those who aspire to work in the field. This nonprofit group works to raise public awareness and improve communication between ecologists and policy makers.

  3. Soil and Water Conservation Society
    swcs.org

    For those working in natural resource conservation—or those aiming for a career in this field—the Soil and Water Conservation Society publishes research, policy, and perspectives on the topic.

Sustainability and the Arts

  1. The Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts
    sustainablepractice.org

    This nonprofit is a think tank for sustainability in arts and culture. They provide resources for artists who consider issues of sustainability in their artistic work.

  2. Artists and Climate Change
    artistsandclimatechange.com

    Artists and Climate Change is a blog that tracks artistic works from all disciplines regarding climate change.

  3. Superhero Clubhouse
    superheroclubhouse.org

    This New York City-based group unites ecology and the theatre, providing original performances, public workshops, and community education and empowerment.

  4. Arts, the Environment, and Sustainability
    www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/arts&america_environment.pdf

    This is an excerpt from the book, Arts & America: Arts, Culture, and the Future of America’s Communities. It’s an impressive thought leadership piece that looks at the role of the arts in issues of the environment and sustainability.

  5. Funding at the Intersection of Art and Environment: A Field Scan
    giarts.org/article/funding-intersection-art-and-environment-field-scan

    This study from Grantmakers in the Arts examines arts funding for work related to the environment and sustainability.

Ecotourism

  1. Green Global Travel
    greenglobaltravel.com

    Founded by a professional journalist and a professional photographer, Bret Love and Mary Gabbett, this blog teaches readers how to be responsible travelers who don’t disrupt natural habitats. The site features breathtaking images and destination recommendations.

  2. Charlie on Travel
    charlieontravel.com

    Charlie is a green travel blogger from the U.K. She blogs about eco-friendly accommodations, community tourism, eating local and vegetarian, sustainability, and living like the locals.

  3. Verdemode
    verdemode.com

    Verdemode features green living and design tips, but it stands out for its ecotourism content—environmentally responsible cruises, ecotours and cycling adventures, plus camping, ecolodges, farm stays, hostels, hotels, and even eco-friendly luxury rentals and spas.

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