Environmental scientists access current research through peer-reviewed journals (rigorously reviewed by scientists before publication) like Environmental Science & Technology and Journal of Environmental Engineering, while daily news comes from sources like Environmental News Network and ScienceDaily. Graduate students focus on specialized journals in their field, while undergraduates benefit from accessible sources like Scientific American that explain complex research clearly.
Information about what is happening in the scientific community reaches us in many ways-social media updates, classroom discussions, news broadcasts, or casual conversations. But for aspiring environmental scientists, developing a systematic approach to staying informed makes the difference between superficial awareness and deep professional knowledge.
This guide helps you distinguish between daily environmental news sources and peer-reviewed academic journals, and shows you how to build the reading habits that will serve you throughout your career. Whether you're a high school student exploring the field or a graduate student conducting original research, knowing where to find credible information is fundamental to your success.
Understanding Different Types of Environmental Science Sources
Not all environmental information carries equal weight. Before diving into specific resources, it helps to understand the crucial distinction between news articles and peer-reviewed research.
Environmental news sources translate scientific findings into accessible stories for general audiences. Science journalists at outlets like Scientific American or NBC News read newly published research, interview scientists, and explain discoveries in everyday language. These articles help you stay current with field developments, but they're someone's interpretation of the original work-valuable for awareness, but not typically suitable for citation in academic papers.
Peer-reviewed journals publish original research that has undergone rigorous scientific vetting. Before publication, multiple experts in the field review the methodology, analyze the data, and verify the conclusions. This process, called peer review, ensures that published research meets scientific standards. Reading these journals directly gives you unfiltered access to actual findings, methods, and data-essential for serious academic work.
The key is understanding when to use each resource. News sources keep you informed about what's happening across environmental science. Journals provide the detailed, verified research you'll cite in papers, reference in grant proposals, and build upon in your own investigations.
Daily Environmental Science News Sources
Staying current with environmental science requires reliable news sources that publish throughout the day, covering everything from new species discoveries to policy changes. These platforms serve as your starting point for understanding what's happening in the field before diving into detailed research.
Here are the most established environmental news sources, each with distinct strengths:
Environmental News Network covers global environmental issues with particular strength in policy and conservation news. If you're tracking international environmental agreements or ecosystem protection efforts, ENN provides comprehensive daily updates that connect scientific findings to policy implications.
LiveScience Planet Earth excels at explaining the science behind environmental stories. Their coverage helps you understand why something matters, not just what happened. The platform's strength lies in breaking down complex research for readers who want scientific accuracy without technical jargon.
NBC News Environment brings mainstream media resources to environmental coverage. This means a broader public reach and connections between environmental issues and current events. Their science desk maintains credibility while making stories accessible to non-specialist audiences.
ScienceDaily Environmental Science News aggregates press releases from universities and research institutions. This gives you early access to new findings, often before they appear in other news outlets. The summaries link directly to original research papers, making it easy to trace claims back to their sources.
Scientific American Earth and Environment represents the gold standard in environmental science journalism. With over 175 years of publication history, this news magazine employs experienced science writers who understand both the research and its implications. Their in-depth articles provide context that daily news updates often lack, though articles are journalistic interpretations rather than peer-reviewed research.
The New York Times Environment combines investigative journalism with environmental coverage. Their reporters dig into stories about environmental policy, corporate practices, and climate impacts with the resources of a major newsroom. These articles often reveal information not available elsewhere.
Environmental Science Journals: The Research Foundation
If you're pursuing a degree in environmental science, peer-reviewed journals will become central to your education. These publications represent the authoritative record of environmental science research-the source material that textbooks reference and practitioners rely upon.
What Makes a Quality Journal?
Not all journals carry equal weight in the scientific community. Here's how to recognize credible publications:
Peer review process: Quality journals send submitted manuscripts to multiple independent experts who evaluate the methodology, data analysis, and conclusions before publication. This process catches errors, identifies flaws, and ensures published research meets scientific standards.
Editorial boards: Reputable journals maintain editorial boards of recognized experts in the field. Check the journal's website-if you see names from major universities and research institutions, that's a positive sign.
Publication history: Established journals have decades of continuous publication. While new journals aren't automatically suspect, longevity indicates sustained credibility.
Institutional backing: Many leading journals are published by professional societies (American Meteorological Society, American Chemical Society) or major academic publishers (Elsevier, Springer, Wiley). This backing ensures resources for proper peer review and editorial oversight.
How to Access Journals
Here's a reality of academic publishing: most quality journals require expensive subscriptions. A single article might cost $30-50 to download, and annual subscriptions run into thousands of dollars. However, several pathways provide free access:
University library systems: If you're enrolled in a college or university, your institution likely subscribes to hundreds of journals. Access them through your library's website using your student credentials. This is the most comprehensive access method available to students.
Public libraries: Some public library systems provide access to basic academic databases. Check with your local library about available resources.
Author-provided copies: Many researchers post copies of their published papers on institutional websites, ResearchGate, or Academia.edu. Try searching the article title along with the author's name on these platforms or the author's university faculty page.
Open access journals: A growing number of journals publish research that's freely available to everyone. We'll cover major open access options in a dedicated section below.
Interlibrary loan: If your library doesn't subscribe to a specific journal, they can often obtain articles from other institutions through interlibrary loan services, usually at no cost to you.
Major Environmental Science Journals
These publications represent the most influential voices in environmental science research. As you advance in your studies, you'll become familiar with journals specific to your specialization. For now, these broad-scope journals provide comprehensive coverage across environmental science disciplines:
The American Meteorological Society Journals publish multiple specialized journals covering atmospheric science, climate, weather forecasting, and oceanic systems. Environmental scientists working with climate data, air quality, or atmospheric chemistry rely heavily on AMS publications.
Energy & Environmental Science focuses on the intersection of environmental concerns and energy systems. Research in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable technology appears here, making it particularly relevant for environmental scientists working on climate solutions.
Environmental Science and Policy bridges the gap between scientific research and policy implementation. If you're interested in how scientific findings influence environmental regulations and management decisions, this journal tracks those connections directly.
Environmental Science and Technology, published by the American Chemical Society, stands as one of the field's most influential journals. ES&T covers environmental chemistry, pollution control, remediation technology, and environmental monitoring. The Streeter-Phelps model for sewage treatment and many other foundational concepts in environmental science first appeared in these pages.
Journal of Environmental Engineering, published by the American Society of Civil Engineers, focuses on engineered solutions to environmental problems. Research on water treatment systems, waste management infrastructure, and environmental remediation technologies appears here regularly.
Journal of Environmental Health, published by the National Environmental Health Association, addresses practical health safety issues, including air and water quality monitoring, food safety, and environmental health regulations. This journal connects research to on-the-ground environmental health practice.
Journal of Environmental Sciences promotes awareness of new discoveries while strengthening professional relationships among environmental science researchers globally. The journal maintains a broad scope across environmental science subdisciplines.
Journal of Geophysical Research breaks environmental science into specialized journals studying specific Earth systems: Atmospheres, Biogeosciences, Earth Surface, Oceans, Planets, and Solid Earth. Environmental scientists work across all these domains, studying how different Earth systems interact and respond to environmental change.
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution addresses pollution issues across all three media. Research on pollution sources, transport mechanisms, environmental impacts, and remediation strategies appears in this comprehensive journal.
Open Access Environmental Science Resources
Traditional academic publishing creates barriers-subscription costs put research behind paywalls, limiting access for students, practitioners, and the public. The open access movement challenges this model by making peer-reviewed research freely available to everyone while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
PLOS ONE revolutionized scientific publishing by creating a broad-scope open-access journal with rigorous peer review. The environmental science section publishes hundreds of papers annually on topics from ecosystem ecology to pollution remediation. Every article is freely available immediately upon publication.
Frontiers in Environmental Science publishes open-access research across environmental science subdisciplines. Their review process emphasizes constructive feedback and transparency, with reviewer names sometimes published alongside articles.
Environmental Research Letters focuses on the rapid publication of high-quality environmental science research. Articles are freely available, and the journal emphasizes research with immediate relevance to environmental policy and management decisions.
EarthArXiv operates as a preprint server where researchers post manuscripts before formal peer review. This gives you early access to cutting-edge research, but note that preprints have not yet undergone peer review and should be evaluated accordingly. Many researchers post preprints here before submitting to traditional journals.
How to Use These Resources Effectively
Having access to sources means little without strategies for using them efficiently. Here's how to integrate these resources into your professional development:
Set Up Google Scholar Alerts
Google Scholar allows you to create custom alerts for specific topics, authors, or journals. Visit Google Scholar Alerts, enter your search terms (like "watershed management" or "air quality monitoring"), and receive email notifications when new research matching your interests appears. This automated approach ensures you don't miss important developments in your focus area.
Develop a Strategic Reading Approach
Scientific papers follow a standardized structure that you can leverage for efficient reading. Don't start at the beginning and read straight through-that wastes time. Instead, follow this sequence:
1. Read the abstract first. This 150-250 word summary tells you the research question, methods, key findings, and conclusions. The abstract alone tells you whether the full paper deserves your time.
2. Examine figures and tables. Researchers place their most important results in visuals. Scanning figures gives you a quick sense of what they found before reading detailed explanations.
3. Review the methodology. Understanding how researchers collected and analyzed data helps you evaluate whether their conclusions are justified. Pay attention to sample sizes, controls, and analytical approaches.
4. Read the introduction and discussion. Now that you understand the findings, the introduction provides context (why this research matters), while the discussion interprets results and explains their significance.
5. Read the detailed results (if needed). Only dive into the full results section when you need a comprehensive understanding for your own research or writing.
Start Using Citation Management Tools Early
Even as an undergraduate, start organizing your research with citation management software. Free options like Zotero or Mendeley let you save articles, organize them by topic or project, and automatically generate citations in any format. Building this habit now saves enormous time later when writing research papers or completing a thesis.
Distinguish Preliminary Findings from Established Science
Not all published research carries equal weight. A single study showing a surprising result deserves attention, but not full acceptance until other researchers replicate those findings. Look for:
Replication: Have other research groups found similar results using different methods or data sets?
Sample size and statistical power: Studies with larger samples generally provide more reliable results than those with minimal data.
Methodology quality: Did the researchers use appropriate controls? Are their analytical methods sound?
Peer commentary: Have other researchers published responses, critiques, or follow-up studies?
This critical evaluation skill separates thoughtful scientists from those who simply repeat published claims without scrutiny.
Match Resources to Your Academic Level
High school students: Focus on news sources like Scientific American and ScienceDaily that explain environmental science concepts clearly. These sources help you understand the field before tackling technical journals.
Undergraduate students: Begin reading journals in your area of interest, starting with review articles that summarize research on specific topics. Supplement with news sources to maintain broad awareness. Take courses that teach you how to read scientific literature effectively.
Graduate students: Concentrate on specialized journals directly relevant to your research. Read papers cited frequently in your area-these foundational works shape current thinking in your field. Attend journal clubs where researchers discuss recent papers together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between environmental news and peer-reviewed journals?
Environmental news sources employ science journalists who read published research and explain it for general audiences. These articles provide accessible summaries but represent someone's interpretation of the original work. Peer-reviewed journals publish original research that has undergone rigorous evaluation by expert scientists before publication. Journals provide direct access to actual findings, methodology, and data-essential for academic work and professional practice.
How do I access journals behind paywalls?
If you're enrolled in a college or university, access journals through your institution's library system using your student credentials. Most universities subscribe to hundreds of journals at no additional cost to students. Public libraries sometimes offer access to basic academic databases. You can also search for author-posted versions on ResearchGate or Academia.edu, or request articles through interlibrary loan services. Open-access journals (like PLOS ONE and Frontiers) provide free access to everyone without institutional subscriptions.
Which sources are best for undergraduate students?
Undergraduate students benefit from a mix of accessible news sources and introductory journal reading. Start with Scientific American and ScienceDaily for clear explanations of environmental concepts and current discoveries. As you advance, begin reading journals in your area of interest, focusing initially on review articles that summarize research on specific topics rather than highly technical research papers. Your professors can recommend specific journals relevant to your coursework and interests.
How do I know if a journal is credible?
Credible journals use rigorous peer review, where independent experts evaluate research before publication. Check the journal's website for information about their review process and editorial board-reputable journals list recognized experts from major universities and research institutions. Established journals have decades of publication history and backing from professional societies (American Chemical Society, American Meteorological Society) or major academic publishers. Be cautious of predatory journals that charge publication fees but provide minimal peer review-these journals often solicit submissions via email and promise rapid publication.
Can I cite news articles in academic papers?
This depends on your purpose. News articles work well for demonstrating public awareness of an issue or showing how scientific findings reach general audiences, but they're not appropriate for supporting scientific claims. When making scientific arguments, cite the original peer-reviewed research that the news article discusses. Many news articles link to or name the original studies-track those down and cite them directly. Your professors and citation style guides (APA, MLA, and Chicago) provide specific guidance on when news sources are appropriate in academic writing.
Key Takeaways
- Different Sources, Different Purposes: Daily news sources like Environmental News Network and ScienceDaily keep you current on developments, while peer-reviewed journals like Environmental Science & Technology provide the rigorous research foundation essential for academic work and professional practice.
- Access Through Universities: Most quality environmental science journals require expensive subscriptions, but college and university students can access hundreds of journals through their institution's library systems at no additional cost beyond tuition.
- Match Sources to Your Level: High school students benefit from Scientific American and ScienceDaily's accessible explanations, undergraduate students should mix news sources with introductory journal reading, and graduate students focus on specialized journals directly relevant to their research area.
- Evaluate Credibility: Peer-reviewed journals undergo rigorous scientific vetting by expert reviewers before publication, while news articles vary widely in accuracy and depth-always verify important claims by tracking down and reading the original research sources.
- Build Reading Habits Early: Regularly reading both environmental news and peer-reviewed journals helps you develop scientific literacy, critical thinking skills, and awareness of field developments essential for successful careers in environmental science.
Ready to build your environmental science expertise? Explore degree programs that provide full access to academic journals and train you to conduct your own research.
Recommended Readings
How 'Silent Spring' Ignited the Environmental Movement - A little knowledge of environmental science history can go a long way for your career.
Population and Environment - A detailed look at the interaction between humans and their environment, good practice for reading a scientifically formatted article.
- International Environmental Science Programs: Study Abroad, Field Schools & Research - September 11, 2014
- Environmental Science Articles and Journals: Your Complete Resource Guide - September 11, 2014
- Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major? - August 27, 2014
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