Topic Selection

While you are thinking about a topic to explore for your research paper, look through your textbook for ideas. Units covered this semester include:

UNIT 1 - Foundations

Foundational Knowledge: Population, Sustainability, Scientific Method, Hazards, Resources
Plate Tectonics and Dynamic Earth
Earth Materials and Structure
Ecology and Geology

UNIT 2 – Natural Hazards

Earthquakes and Tsunami
Coastline Erosion
Rivers and Flooding

UNIT 3 – Resources

Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil and Gas)
Alternative Energy (Nuclear, Geothermal, Hydropower, Solar, Wind, Biomass)
Water
Mineral Resources

UNIT 4 – Pollution and Land Use Planning

Waste Management
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Climate Change
Land Use Planning

Example Topics:

Zero Waste policy
Industrial Ecology
Integrated Water and Waste Management
‘Medical’ Geology (Public health and Environmental concerns)
Recycling vs Incineration
Climate Change and Permafrost

Example Questions:

Are golf courses environmentally sustainable?
Are cruise ships environmentally friendly?
What can be done about microplastics in the world's oceans?
Fast Fashion: What are the global impacts?

A great place to browse for ideas is in a library database. Two background/overview databases for general science and environmental studies are:

Gale in Context: Environmental Studies This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Gale in Context: Science This link opens in a new window

Log in off-campus with your MyLoneStar username and password or your library barcode. Once you are in the database, use the browse issues feature to choose and narrow topics.

Gale Science in Context: Environmental Studies Video Tutorial
Gale Science in Context: Environmental Studies is highlighted in this video- See Part 2

This is part 2 of a series of showing how to research an environmental topic.