Fundamentals of Environmental Science

The field of environmental science strives to understand the complex systems of the natural world and the effects of human actions upon it. Use the Environmental Science Web Guide to learn the basics of environmental science and stay up to date on news and developments in the field. Students will find resources for learning about issues in environmental science, and teachers will find sites to help them teach the subject.

Though environmental issues are in the news, on the world stage and at our grocers, the basic science of it all can be confusing. Use the sites below to explore the basics of environmental science.

• The domain of environmental science is not completely defined, and includes many smaller disciplines. As a result, most related Web sites focus on more specialized areas within environmental science, such as atmospheric science, oceanography, Earth science/geo-sciences, environmental health, environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, ecology or environmental law.

• Environmental science is one area of science that is very prone to politicization. As such, you should always try to understand the institutional origins of the information you find online. For more information on evaluating Web sites for credibility and partiality, see the findingDulcinea Guide to Web Search.

For an overview of environmental science …

is a nonprofit that aims to help teachers provide the tools that students need to “develop environmental literacy.” Navigation can sometimes be tricky on this site, so use the categories on the left to explore the different aspects of our environment. You’ll find recommended resources that include links to related sites, maps, laws, “viewpoints” and even classroom resources.

For official government resources and agencies …

acts as the U.S. government’s steward of the sea and air. Navigate the site using the graphic icons in the upper-right corner of the page; content is neatly organized by the ecosystems and activities regulated by NOAA. You’ll find NOAA news, research information and links to NOAA organizations, such as the National Weather Service.