Celebrating Earth Day Resources

Happy Earth Day from UWSP Libraries! It’s that time of year when we take a step back from our daily lives and educate ourselves on the many ways we can live more sustainably and lead an eco-conscious life.

As mentioned on Earthday.org, Earth Day originally started in 1970 as a grassroots movement protesting the damaging effects oil spills, toxic waste, pesticides, and more had on human health and the environment. Before the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, most of America was oblivious to the effects pollution had on living organisms. After witnessing the aftermath of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, Senator Nelson from Wisconsin was inspired to change the public’s view on the environment and announced his idea for teach-ins on college campuses. Earth Day became a national success, with more universities, government organizations, and media publications engaging in it every year. Since then, Earth Day has become a day when the world bands together to promote awareness about changing human behavior to create positive, environmentally beneficial global change. 

For those of you looking to live more Earth-friendly lives but not knowing how, look no further than the UWSP Libraries! With its many databases and books about sustainability, you’re sure to find something that will help you on this journey. Resources and information about the environment, the natural world, and more can be found on our research guide on sustainability.  

 Not sure which database to search through first? Here’s a helpful list:

●      The GreenFILE database provided by Badgerlink is your one-stop shop for all things relating to human impact on the environment. Be sure to check out the many articles on human energy consumption and renewable energy options.

●      The Environmental Studies & Policy and Environmental Studies in Context provided by Gale OneFile focuses on the economic impacts of governmental and corporate environmental policies, and the social aspect of environmental issues. These databases are great when looking for articles about agriculture and economic development.

●      CQ Researcher Online includes reports on environmental topics, such as climate change and global warming,  plastic pollution, rising sea levels, and effects of air pollution. 

Looking for a book about the environment? Try reading one of these featured Earth Day stories: 

●      The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times  by Jane Goodall

●      The Green Marble: Earth System Science and Global Sustainability  by David Turner

●      Toxic Communities: Environmental racism, industrial pollution, and residential mobility by Dorceta Taylor

●      Living Well Now and in the Future: Why Sustainability Matters by Randall Curren and Ellen Metzger

●      Sustainability for the 21st Century: Pathway Programs and Policies by K. David Pijawka

●      Sustainable Nation: Urban Design Patterns for the World We Want by Douglas Farr

●      This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate by Naomi Klein. 

More information can be found at the UWSP Libraries website.

Post by Hannah Fenrick