Science

Grade 8

This Pathfinder is designed to guide you through researching your own environmental
issue. While looking for an issue to delve into, keep in mind that you will need to focus your
study to a specific geographic location, with a specific problem. For example, Water
Pollution in China is a very broad topic, as China is a giant expanse of land with much water
on it and around it. Focusing on one part or one waterway will help to narrow it down -
Pollution and Impact on Fishing in the Yangtze River, China. See Mrs. Cawley or Mrs. Sand
if you need assistance.

Lets Get Started

To get acquainted with some environmental problems that exist around the world, check
out this website by CEF for a listing of broad topics:
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-current-environmental-problems.php
Also look at the videos embedded in Planet Heralds article titled Top 10 Environmental
Issues Facing Our Planet http://planetearthherald.com/top-10-environmental-issues/
These sites should help you to decide which direction you would like to go with this project.

Use these sites to begin a broad search for a topic.

World Conservation Monitoring Centre: https://www.unep-wcmc.org/ - Find conservation statistics
for any place in the world.
United Nations Environment Program: http://www.unep.org/ - Comprehensive site on world
environmental issues. Use the blue bar at the top of the page to navigate easily.
National Parks Conservation Association: https://www.npca.org/ This is a useful site for investing
US National Parks and issues that face these sacred spaces
United States Environmental Protection Agency: https://www3.epa.gov/ All things environment
and the go to site for American environmental regulation.
EPA - Learn the Issues: https://www.epa.gov/learn-issues - Kid centered EPA site that delves into
environmental issues.
The Nature Conservancy: http://www.nature.org/ A trusted source devoted to saving and
conserving land and water worldwide.
US Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/ US government agency focused on animal and
aquatic conservation.
Natural Resources Defense Council: https://www.nrdc.org/get-involved An organization that is
working to defend and protect species, habitat and places worldwide.
The 6 Most Pressing Environmental Issues: http://inhabitat.com/top-6-environmental-issues-for-
earth-day-and-what-you-can-do-to-solve-them/
 Britannica School: http://school.eb.com/levels
Facts on File: http://online.infobaselearning.com/Default.aspx
Explora: http://web.a.ebscohost.com/web/src_ic/home?hid=4209&preview=false&usrNo=-
24311321

Pennichuck Library Catalog

Nashua Public Library

Possible Keyword Search Terms: Subject Headings:

Environmental disaster Environment
Environment issue Environment issue
Pollution Pollution
Waste Conservation
Water Water
Endangered Endanger
Natural resources

Books:
Book Title Author Call Number

Acid Rain McCormick, John 363.7 MCC

Pollution and Conservation Rebecca Hunter 363.73 HUN

Global Pollution Paul Brown 363.73 BRO

Endangered Planet David Burnie 333.95 BUR

Poisoned Planet: Pollution in Our World August Greeley 363.73 GRE

Pollution Clive Gifford 363.73 GIF

Water Pollution Melanie Ostopowich 363.739 OST

Clean Planet: Stopping Litter and Pollution Tristan Boyer Binns 363.73 BIN

VIDEO - Bill Nye: Pollution Solutions Bill Nye DVD 363 POL

Our Endangered Planet: Population Growth Suzanne Winckler and 304.6 WIN
Mary M. Rodgers

The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming Laurie David and 363.738 DAV
Cambria Gordon
 Articles:
Here are some example articles in reference to some specific environmental problems:
Comparing Urban Air Pollution from The Economist - In this article, you will be able to see how
severe the air pollution rate is at any time of day around the
world. http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/08/daily-
chart?zid=313&ah=fe2aac0b11adef572d67aed9273b6e55
Greenhouse Gasses Made West Coast Drought Worse from Scientific American:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/greenhouse-gases-made-west-coast-drought-worse/

Search and find more articles through our EBSCO database here: http://search.epnet.com

EXTRA, EXTRA!!
Access some more cool resources here!
Environmental Scorecard: http://scorecard.goodguide.com/

Recycle City Game: https://www3.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm

Sound Cool? Want to be an Environmental Scientist? http://www.environmentalscience.org/