environmental writing assignment

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25 classics of environmental writing to help with your summer reading list

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There’s something about the turn of a season that makes me want to draw up a new reading list, and the arrival at last of real summer weather got me thinking about classics of environmental writing I might want to revisit or read for the first time.

So I consulted some expert sources, along with my own bookshelves, and drew up the list below, cutting it off at 25 for no good reason other than that seemed enough (and 250 was certainly possible).

The shortest set of recommendations came from Peter Dykstra, the longtime CNN correspondent and producer who now publishes Environmental Health News and listed his top five for the Mother Nature Network. The longest came from the folks at Goodreads (357 titles), and the most eclectic from an Illinois blogger who goes by Wren .

There were others, too, but they began to get duplicative and, anyway, you may have your own favorite recommenders. If so, feel free to share those links — or other favorite titles — in the comments below.

• Silent Spring (1962) — loved both for its craft and its impact in alerting Americans to the dangers of heedless pesticide uses, this landmark book and its author, Rachel Carson, are the subject of On a Farther Shore by Minnesota’s William Souder, published last September on Silent Spring’s 50th anniversary.
• A Sand County Almanac (1949) — now frequently published with additional essays and supplemental materials, this is Aldo Leopold’s timeless appreciation of wilderness, species, ecology and a conservation ethic that rises from the land itself.
• Earth in the Balance (1992) — Al Gore’s earliest and broadest book about global environmental threats including, but not limited to, global warming; followed in 2006 by An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It and this year by “The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change.”
• Cadillac Desert (1986) — a history of water “development” in the arid West as a pageant of corruption, special-interest politics and wishful thinking, Marc Reisner’s epic is required reading for understanding that region’s water problems and is not without relevance to our own.
• Coyotes and Town Dogs (1993) — a personal favorite, Susan Zakin’s “new journalism” approach renders a tedium-free account of environmental radicalism as embodied by Dave Foreman and Earth First! (also, the young and still-to-be-famous Ted Danson, who devoted some time back in the day to toppling billboards along Arizona highways).

• The Lorax (1971) — Dr. Seuss’ indispensable tool for enlisting the youngest of children into a lifetime of tree-hugging and anti-corporate hostility, but in a nice way.
• Field Notes from a Catastrophe  (2006) — Elizabeth Kolbert’s elegant adaptation of New Yorker pieces  remains my favorite treatment of global warming’s unraveling of climate and natural balances as we knew them.
• Never Cry Wolf (1963) — Farley Mowat’s treatise on the Arctic wolf, widely credited with inspiring a reconsideration of wolf eradication in latitudes more like ours. I also like his autobiographical Born Naked .
• Everyone who loves John McPhee’s books has a favorite, and I suppose mine would be either The Control of Nature (1989) for its look at the folly of trying to keep the Mississippi River from changing course in southern Louisiana, or Encounters With the Archdruid (1972) for its celebration of David Brower’s radical resistance to the federal Bureau of Reclamation in a time when building dams at Grand Canyon was under active consideration.
• Ditto Edward Abbey, as to everyone having a personal favorite, but for me there’s a clearer front-runner: Desert Solitaire (1968), a collection of essays and ramblings written from a creaky trailer during the author’s seasonal employment at what was then Arches National Monument. The place is now a national park, replete with the wide roadways and motor-tourist conveniences Abbey railed against, and in a visit to the holy place some years ago I determined that the National Park Service has marked the site of Ed’s old abode, more or less, with a really excellent outhouse.
• The World Without Us (2007) — Alan Weisman’s speculative analysis of how the earth we’ve used so thoroughly might respond to our sudden disappearance.

• Naturalist (1994) — a personal favorite, E.O. Wilson’s autobiographical tracing of the encounters with nature that shaped his ideas of biophilia and consilience.
• The End of Nature (1989) — still perhaps Bill McKibben’s most powerful and accessible work on how greenhouse gases are remaking the world. And while we’re on McKibben, a survey of classic American environmental writing that he edited for the Library of America came out in 2008 under the title American Earth.
• Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth (1979) — lays out James Lovelock’s rather more optimistic line of thinking about planetary fate and resilience, which has been influential despite the considerable derision it also provokes.
• Stalking the Wild Asparagus (1962) — the Euell Gibbons book that launched modern foraging and retains biblical stature for modern seekers after wild food, along with Stalking the Healthful Herbs (1966) and Stalking the Blue-Eyed Scallop (1964).
• Last Child in the Woods (2005) — Richard Luov’s sobering look at “nature deficit disorder” and the consequences of raising generations that rarely move beyond the great indoors.
• Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (2002) — a genuine manifesto about rethinking sustainability, by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. McDonough gave me a lasting epiphany on a visit to Minneapolis some years ago when he observed that most environmental regulation is aimed at ensuring merely that we poison ourselves and each other more slowly .
• Guns, Germs and Steel (1997) — the first volume in Jared Diamond’s stunningly interdisciplinary look at the environmental factors driving the fate of human societies past, present and future, followed by Collapse (2005) and last year’s The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?

• Where the Wild Things Were (2008) — William Stoltzenburg’s look at, in the phrasing of his subtitle, “life, death and ecological wreckage in a land a vanishing predators.”
• The Empty Ocean (2004) — a rich, complex, non-scolding history of humankind’s use and overuse of the earthly environments we understand most poorly, and with huge consequences, by Richard Ellis.
• Break Through (2007) — an important though by no means universally accepted argument for a positivist, “post-environmental” approach to the politics of environmental protection and stewardship by Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger.
• Far Tortuga (1975) — OK, this one was on nobody’s list but my own, but Peter Matthiessen’s experimental novel, constructed from fragments of dialogue and glimpses of Caribbean seascape, renders a doomed turtle-fishing trip in a text that is part poem, part screenplay, completely compelling. I never tire of revisiting it, especially at bedtime in the cramped berth of a small sailboat rocking on Lake Pepin.

Join the Conversation

Enviromental Reading

Thank you for the list. Thank you as well for including Aldo Leopold’s wonderful book and placing it ast such a high priority.

“Bringing Nature Home” by Douglas Tallamy

I was inspired by listening to a lecture by Douglas Tallamy and reading his book “Bringing Nature Home.” From the publisher’s comments: “As this revelatory book eloquently explains, there is an unbreakable link between native plant species and native wildlife. Indeed, most native insects cannot, or will not, eat alien plants. When native plant species disappear or are replaced by alien exotics, the insects disappear, thus impoverishing the food source of birds and other animals. In many parts of the world, habitat destruction has been so extensive that local wildlife populations are in crisis and may well be headed toward extinction.”

This empowering book explains how the home gardener can make a meaningful contribution to the creation of sustainable ecosystems by planting native plant species. There are some excellent commercial sources of native plants in Minnesota, and the Twin Cities has two chapters of the Wild Ones organization which promotes landscaping with native plants. Check out the websites for information on events and tours: http://www.wildonestwincities.org/ and http://wildones.org/chapters/scos/ .

Environment at its best!

All natural things make the ecosystem. One animal needs one another in order to survive just like in the famous saying, “No man is an island”. A message from http://copywritercollective.com/go/copy-writer/ .

Dear author, thanks for the great content here. This is a very wonderful sheet of books. I have already read many of the books and it will be mega useful for students of the environmental department. The important book is The Unsettling of America. The author of this publication claims that just the same good rural statehood is the key to the success of the whole nation, and I even wrote a thesis about this with the help of https://essayontime.com.au/thesis-writing . This was a creative assignment at the end of the last year as a test of students’ thinking in the field of environmental “spirituality”.

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Course Syllabus

Beyond Nature Writing: Introduction to Environmental Writing

Balance internal and external details and ground your writing in a specific place..

Essayists are well-versed in adventures into the depths of the mind and heart, or excavations of the past. But environmental writing asks us to look outward, beyond the self, to consider the mysteries of the universe or the dirt beneath our feet. This course will show you how to balance the internal and the external, how to look around without losing your sense of self, and how to write an essay about your environment, whatever it looks like.

Environmental writing does not only mean writing about nature. Whether natural or manmade, wild or settled, beautiful, ugly, or sterile, any and all environments are worthy of deeper exploration. Together, we’ll train ourselves to see any place as full of stories waiting to be told, and to write about both the darkness and the light of any landscape. Through a series of generative writing prompts, you’ll begin several essays, and will submit one longer work for detailed feedback.

In this course, you will:

• focus on the development of an individual narrative voice, even as you consider external subjects;
• learn to transform scientific and natural details into sources of figurative language;
• explore the possibilities of scientific research, from source material to field studies; and
• respond to weekly brainstorming prompts for peer and instructor feedback, develop one longer essay, and receive detailed feedback from the instructor and your peers. nonfiction.

How it works:

Each week provides:

• discussions of assigned readings and other general writing topics with peers and the instructor
• written lectures and a selection of readings
• writing prompts and/or assignments

Some weeks also include:

• opportunities to submit a full-length essay or essays for instructor and/or peer review (up to 3,500 words)
• optional video/tele conferences that are open to all students in Week 2 (and which will be available afterwards as a recording for those who cannot participate)

To create a better classroom experience for all, you are required to participate weekly to receive instructor feedback on your work.

Week 1: Placing Yourself

Environmental writing first asks us to look up and around, to locate our bodies in a geographic landscape. This week, using contemporary environmental essays and several explorative prompts, you will develop an awareness of yourself in relationship to your environment, whether it’s natural or manmade, wild or settled. Our focus will be on cultivating a narrative voice and a sense of interiority we can bring into dialogue with our world.

Week 2: Cultivating Wonder

Cultivating a sense of wonder and mystery deepens the environmental writer’s connection to possible subject matter. If even the objects in your own backyard astonish you, you’ll always have a ready source of detail, image, and metaphor. We’ll read several examples of writers versed in fascination and use writing prompts to practice fostering our own curiosity and sharing our discoveries with lush, descriptive language.

Week 3: Gathering Sources

Our focus this week will be on expanding the scope of our environmental writing by incorporating several forms of research. We’ll look at examples of essays making use of source material ranging from science to history to philosophy. You’ll get a primer on how to interview environmental experts, explore the possibilities of field research, and study how to weave together internal and external threads in your narrative.

Week 4: Confronting Darkness

Environmental writing isn’t all flowers and flitting birds. Nature can be cruel and brutal in the best of times, and as we face a global pandemic and changing climate, increasing natural disasters and mass extinction—we are not in the best of times. This week, we’ll ask what it means to write an environmental essay in our times. How can our writing confront the racist and colonialist history of our landscape? How can we acknowledge destruction, advocate for environmental protection, and still celebrate the beauty of the natural world? What are the ethical, social, and political responsibilities of the environmental essay? This week, you will submit your environmental essay for peer and instructor feedback.

Week 5: Harvesting Words

We will spend the week engaged in workshop conversations about each other’s work. In addition, we will consider revision as an act of cultivation, discuss strategies for expanding and deepening our essays, and explore several possible venues for publication.

Browse Course Material

Course info.

• Dr. Cynthia Taft

Departments

• Comparative Media Studies/Writing

As Taught In

• American Literature
• Creative Writing
• Nonfiction Prose

Learning Resource Types

Writing about nature and environmental issues, course description.

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Ecological Writing Processes to Promote Environmental and Social Consciousnesses

• First Online: 22 April 2021

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• Erin Lord Kunz 3  

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This chapter discusses ways a writing classroom can establish an ecological composition (ecocomposition) curriculum by offering ecological teaching strategies during the reading, invention, drafting, revision, and editing phases of the writing process. Ecological composition should utilize feminist, Indigenous, and local readings; include kinesthetic movement and outdoor environment when discussing invention with students; consider instructors as travel guides to help students navigate drafting and revision within academic discourse; and understand why editing instruction should not be taught as objective knowledge but as the subjective privileging of particular ways of speaking and writing that are connected to class, gender, race, and geography. Though ecocomposition writing processes are ultimately recursive, discussing particular points during the process helps instructors to strategize ways to guide students toward ecological writing. By implementing an ecocomposition curriculum, students develop an environmental and social consciousness in relation to the places they inhabit.

• Ecological composition
• Ecocomposition
• Environmental writing
• Writing process

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Coe, R. M. (1975). Eco-logic for the composition classroom. College Composition and Communication, 26 (3). Retrieved from Dobrin, S. I., & Weisser, C. R. (2002b). Natural discourse. State University of New York Press.

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Erin Lord Kunz

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C. Casey Ozaki

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Laura Parson

Writing Assignment 1: Geographical Autobiography

In this course, we’ve been discussing concepts such as environmental writing, the flaneur, sense of place, place-based education, critical pedagogy, reinhabitation, and land ethics. For this paper, I’d like you to investigate these concepts from a personal perspective. In what ways can you absorb your environment? How has place influenced the way you understand yourself? How can you understand the way your geographical background has influenced your perspective on the world?

You will write a 5–7 page geographical autobiography in which you detail your background, childhood, and memories from the vantage point of geography. Questions you might ask yourself are as follows:

Where have I lived and traveled, and how have those places impacted how I see the world?

How have the social, religious, economic, political, racial, environmental, and—especially—geographical aspects of your upbringing influenced you?

How might your understanding of self be different if you were born in another part of the world, to another family, with a different religion and/or economic class?

What are some of your best memories of your personal geographies? What are some of the worst memories of your personal geographies?

How do landscapes, environment, and ecologies mirror your personality or identity? For example, does growing up on an isolated prairie make you more introverted? Does growing up in a bustling city make you more extroverted?

You will be graded according to the following questions:

Does the author write a geographical autobiography that focuses on a hybrid of her personal story and the geography from which that story emerges?

Does the author write the geographical autobiography with thoughtful details, smooth transitions, and rhetorically appealing organization?

Is the writing and project organization professional in structure and free of grammatical/mechanical error? Is intellectual property appropriately accounted for through documentation standards?

Writing Assignment 2: Community Engagement Project

This writing project involves extensive research in which you will actively engage in your community. You will choose an issue, organization, or place in the city that is important to you and you will engage with that choice over the course of the semester. You could, for example, choose to research recycling options in the city or services for domestic abuse victims. If you are actively involved in a church or nonprofit, you could decide to make that organization your focus of study. Perhaps you’re drawn to particular places in the city—a park, a basketball court, or a derelict neighborhood; you could concentrate your efforts there. Whatever seems most compelling to you is a good place to start your work. You will be engaging with it all semester, so it should be something important to you.

Before you begin working with your issue, organization, or place, be sure that you have permission to begin this project with the stakeholders connected to your focus of study, and that they have a full understanding of what the project entails. You will begin the project by researching your focus of study, using both primary and secondary sources:

What is the issue, organization, or place you are researching? What is its history, and who currently interacts with it?

How has your focus of study impacted the city? Who has it impacted?

Walk around your organization or place, or to the different locations your issue most impacts in the city. What do you see? How is it situated in the city? What are the current conditions?

Talk to people associated with your focus of study. What have been their experiences? What positives and negatives do they see? (Be sure to record responses accurately and be transparent with any participants about how you’re using the information they give you.)

Next, you will begin writing an investigative proposal for your focus of study, detailing its history, impacts, goals, and needs within the city. This part of the project will be entirely unique to each student depending on their focus of study. Be thorough, using both primary and secondary sources, and write a detailed account of your issue, organization, or place. This part of the project should be between 4 and 6 pages.

Now consider the goals and needs of your focus of study, paying attention to how they might impact the community:

How does your focus of study serve the community well? What positive impacts do they have? How might they continue the practices that seem beneficial to the city?

Are the goals and needs of your focus of study beneficial to everyone in the community? If not, why? Who does your focus of study serve? Does it harm anyone?

How could the issue, organization, or place you are studying be more inclusive for diverse sets of people? What language might they use to improve inclusion?

How could the issue, organization, or place you’re studying be more sustainable in the environment it is situated? What language might they use to improve sustainability?

What concluding remarks or insights can you offer your focus of study?

This part of the proposal should follow a typical proposal format. Be sure to provide a thorough discussion of what you discovered during the investigation phase and why it is relevant today. Consider your language, vocabulary, and tone when writing recommendations and be sure to remain respectful to all potential stakeholders of your project. This section should be 2–4 pages.

Does the project choose a suitable focus of study that is thoroughly researched?

Does the writer use both primary and secondary sources, detailed descriptions, and personal encounters to write the investigative proposal?

Do the recommendations focus on all members of the community, considering the needs of different ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic identities?

Do the recommendations refer to issues of sustainability, understanding how the focus of study operates within the local context of the community?

Is the writer sensitive to language and tone, making an effort to be simultaneously clear, direct, and thoughtful?

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About this chapter

Kunz, E.L. (2021). Ecological Writing Processes to Promote Environmental and Social Consciousnesses. In: Ozaki, C.C., Parson, L. (eds) Teaching and Learning for Social Justice and Equity in Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69947-5_4

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Disciplinary Approaches to Composing Texts

Writing in Environmental Science

by Dr. Emily Deaver

Writing is one of the primary forms of communication in Environmental Science. It is important to be able to express yourself clearly regardless of the type of writing you are doing. It is also important to understand what audience you are writing for - a scientific audience or the general public. Communicating results of research by writing papers is critical to advancing the field. You may do Nobel Prize winning work in the lab, but if you never publish a paper on that work then the research will be unknown and essentially worthless. Communicating clearly is also important and relevant to environmental regulations and protection of natural resources, both in terms of advocating for a particular position, educating the general public about natural resources or for proposing specific legislation. 

Types of writing in the field

Writing in the Environmental Science field includes a wide range of styles as well as writing geared toward different audiences. Scholarly writing published in scientific journals is the primary way that researchers communicate and is critical for exchange of information.  These journals are increasingly available online prior to publication in a print format, or even exclusively online.

Environmental writing includes investigative pieces which may focus on discussions of emerging problems, or exposing illegal or unethical practices. These pieces often include facts and data in an effort to communicate new information to the public, or may be more human interest stories that describe specific environmental problems. These stories can be published by newspapers, magazines or broadcast outlets such at National Public Radio. These may be short news style pieces or longer documentaries.

There are numerous environmental magazines like National Parks Magazine, Scientific American, Popular Science, National Geographic and Discover magazine that present news and features stories for the general public in a less technical format and typically include lots of pictures with the articles. There are also a huge number of environmental blogs on the web. Most are designed to provide information as well as encourage readers to become involved in protection and care of the environment (i.e. http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/ ). 

An additional type of writing would be pieces written for nonprofit conservation organizations like Nature Conservancy , or the World Wildlife Fund . This type of writing often describes a particular landscape, habitat or group of organisms with the aim of getting the reader emotionally invested in the topic. Writing for research stations, such as the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, would be writing that includes reporting on technical research data for the scientific community, but also presenting research data in a less technical way to the general public, with the aim or gaining continued support for their work. 

Federal government agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) produce many different types of writing; very technical reports related to research projects, guidance or policy documents on regulations and protection of environmental resources, informational documents to educate the general public, and news releases. Clear written communication is so important that the EPA even has its own writing guide ( https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/stylebook_.html) . Much of this information is available in print form but they also have extensive websites with research reports, information on popular topics and news releases easily accessible. A good example of most of these types of writing can be found at the EPA page on Climate Change ( https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ ). Similar types of writing are done by state (i.e. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MN Department of Natural Resources, MN Board of Water and Soil Resources) and local agencies (Lyon County Environmental Office) as well. Utility companies (i.e. Marshall Municipal Utilities or Duke Power) and publically owned wastewater treatment facilities produce similar information and types of documents.  

Writers may also work in some type of industry and write industry newsletters and press releases or do technical writing for equipment or consumer products writing procedural manuals, or tutorials and help pages. There are also numerous professional magazines (i.e. Chemical and Engineering News ) that report on new technologies and industry news.

A different type of writing in the environmental field would be nature writers. These works can be environmental fiction (novels or poetry) that describe nature or have plots involving environmental issues (i.e. Wallace Stegner, Wendell Berry and Annie Dillard),) or nonfiction accounts of the wilderness (i.e. Rick Bass and Sigurd F. Olson), writing as an environmental activist (i.e. Lester R. Brown) or  exploring relationships to nature and culture (i.e. Terry Tempest Williams).

Scholarly writing published in scientific journals is the primary way that environmental scientists communicate. All students in Environmental Science should be familiar with, and be able to write in this format. Reporting on scientific information in a less technical fashion to help the general public understand complex scientific issues would be the 2 nd most important type of writing. This information is increasingly important in both paper and electronic formats. 

Writing in the classroom

Depending upon which course they take, students gain experience doing technical writing such as lab reports, research proposals and research papers. These works allow students to practice writing in the style of a published journal article, which is one of the primary forms of communication in the field.  Students also learn to create annotated bibliographies, which teaches them to find and read journal articles and to summarize information from those articles for later reference. This is particularly important when gathering information for research projects. 

Many of the things Environmental Science students and scientists write are lab reports, research reports, and journal articles. A lab report (or journal article) is an example of technical writing, which is different from prose or expository writing (for an English class, for example).  The goal of a lab report is to state facts, procedures, processes, and concepts as clearly as possible. The writer’s opinions or feelings about the process are NOT included, and should be concealed in a scientific paper.

Good technical writing is: clear (not diffuse, vague, or general), accurate (data honestly gathered, accurately reported, edited and proof-read to ensure that it is error-free), concise (not wordy), conventional and consistent (following accepted patterns for reporting information consistently throughout), mechanically correct (proper grammar, spelling and usage), and interesting (has enough stylistic character to be interesting as well as informative to the reader). 

Some of the keys to good scientific writing in general are:

1. Avoid sentence fragments and run-on sentences.

2. Keep tense, person and number consistent within sections.

3. Avoid long words when short ones will do the job equally well. Avoid wordiness, redundancy, clichés, jargon (gobbledygook), overblown phrases and misused words.

4. Keep ideas together within paragraphs of moderate length and make clear transitions between paragraphs.

5. Write naturally while remaining detached from the subject (objective).

6. Concentrate on clarity and coherence.

7. Use graphs for clarity, simplification, emphasis, or summary.

8. Do not excuse, diminish or find fault with the study. Let the reader judge the quality and significance of the study. 

Parts of the Lab Report, Research Report or Journal Article

The elements of the laboratory report (or journal article) are: title (and author), introduction, methods, results, discussion and literature cited (references) sections. Occasionally a lab report may include an abstract and acknowledgments section.

The introduction describes what you planned to do and why. It includes a statement of the problem or question to be studied, and an explanation of why the knowledge gained by this research is of interest and to whom. An introduction includes a hypothesis, or educated guess, as to the process by which the phenomenon under investigation operates. Available background references are used (and cited) to indicate the importance of the research, and to provide information that allows the author to predict an outcome. You should also define any terms in the introduction section.

The methods section is a concise description, written in the past tense, of the procedures used. It describes the equipment used and how information was collected: by laboratory or field experimentation, surveys, or literature review. This section contains the most explicit (exactly described) statements of how you did the experiment or study. The methods section should contain enough detail for someone else to repeat the study based on the description in the paper. The methods section does NOT include a list of the materials used. Any equipment and materials used are described along with the procedures. 

The results section describes what you found out. This section is a presentation and organization of the information (facts, data, and measurements) collected in the study. Often the data is organized into tables and graphs. Graphs and tables are never presented alone - they are used in addition to the text, or descriptive paragraph of the results. The results section simply presents the data, but no explanations or statements about why the researcher thinks the results occurred as they did are provided (that is given in the discussion section).

The discussion section includes explicit statements of what the results mean in a logically unfolding pattern. This section includes statements about why the researcher thinks the results occurred as they did (based on literature or previous studies), and what the results reveal about the way nature works. The discussion section also contains any conclusions or recommendations. It may also include statements about particular sources of error in the study and what the next set of experiments would be to gain further information on this topic.

A laboratory report should contain all of the sections discussed above plus a title that describes the experiment or study. Following the title is the author’s name . References are used to substantiate statements made in the introduction, methods or discussion sections of the lab report. Any references used need to be cited correctly - both in the text of the report (author and year) and at the end of the report in a literature cited section (see the handout on citations for details on the format to use).

Environmental Science Disciplinary Perspective Documentation in Environmental Science Research in Environmental Science Reading in Environmental Science

• Introduction to the Text
• Writing is Important in your Major
• Advice from Students
• Making Your Writing Work: Ethos & Commonplaces
• Professional Associations
• Scholarship as Conversation
• Genres and Finding Sources
• Genres, Metagenres, and the Rhetorical Situation
• Analyzing Scholarly, Trade, and Popular Sources
• Library Research Overview
• Introduction To Research
• Research Process
• Choosing a Topic
• Determining Genres
• Trouble Finding Sources
• Videos Overview
• Special Education
• Annotated Writing Samples
• Agricultural Education Overview
• Documentation
• Scholarly Writing Sample
• Business Administration Overview
• Communication Studies Overview
• Student Writing Sample
• Computer Science Overview
• Education Overview
• Environmental Science Overview
• Exercise Science Overview
• History Overview
• Justice Administration Overview
• Literary Studies Overview
• Marketing Overview
• Math Overview
• Nursing Overview
• Philosophy Overview
• Professional Writing and Communication Overview
• Videos (English)
• Social Work Overview
• Special Education Overview

ENG 230: Introduction to Environmental Literature

Reading in a weathered world.

ENG 230 Syllabus, Fall 12

English 230:

Introduction to Environmental Literature

CRN: 17654                                                                                 Stephen Siperstein

Spring 2012                                                                Office/Ph: 519 PLC; 346-1526

TR 10-11:20                                                                   Office Hours: TR 11:45-1:15

214 McKenzie                                                              Email: [email protected]

Course Description

As an introduction, this course is organized around a basic question: what is environmental literature?  Together, we will explore this question by examining major trends that have shaped how Anglophone writers have understood and written about their environments historically, and we will consider how those trends continue to influence our feelings towards, and understandings of, the more-than-human world.  More specifically, by using the tools of literary analysis and literary history we will use the course texts (which represent only a small sampling of the environmental literary canon) to distinguish a set of shared tropes and shared concerns indicative of environmental literature in general.  We will identify strategies through which poets, dramatists, and fiction and nonfiction writers have addressed environmental questions through both the form and content of their works.  Finally through the close reading, critical thinking, and analytical writing required in this course, we will investigate the extent to which literary and cultural forms shape the ways that people see and relate to nature and the environment, that is to the places where they live, work, travel, and form their identities.

Required Texts

The following texts are required for this course.  I would suggest that you purchase the particular editions of each book available at the Duck Store.  All other readings will be available through our course blog site.  Please note: you must have a hardcopy of the assigned text, whether a book or a printout of an article, and bring it with you to class on the days we are reading and discussing it.

Carson, Rachel.  Silent Spring (40 th Anniversary ed, Houghton Mifflin)

Darwin, Charles.  On the Origin of Species (Penguin)

May, Theresa.  Salmon is Everything (Course pack available at bookstore)

Thoreau, Henry D. Walden, Civil Disobedience, and Other Writings (3 rd ed, W.W. Norton)

Viramontes, Helena Maria.  Under the Feet of Jesus (Penguin)

Yamashita, Karen Tei.  Through the Arc of the Rainforest (Coffee House Press)

You will need to have a University of Oregon email address to be able to access our course blog site: https://blogs.uoregon.edu/environmentalliterature230/

Required Assignments and Grading Percentages

Investment                                                                                                                       5%

Reading quizzes                                                                                                            10%

Course blog                                                                                                                   10 %

Close reading assignment                                                                                             15 %

Midterm exam                                                                                                                15%

Final paper assignment                                                                                                  20%

Final exam                                                                                                                      25%

Investment 5% :   The investment component of your final grade reflects your commitment to the overall success of the course.  I want you to take ownership of your thoughts, words, and writing—an impossible notion if you do not participate in class discussions.   I want you to make this class work: to make it what it is, will be, and the path that it will follow throughout the term.  Contributing to discussion is one way to demonstrate that you are invested.  If you are shy, I invite you to work to speak up anyway, as it builds confidence in your ideas and writing.  But there are other ways to demonstrate your investment as well.  Be an active participant on the course blog, commenting or posting more than the required amount.  Come to office hours and let me know when you have questions.  All of these actions are forms of “investment.”

Reading quizzes 10% :  Over the course of the term I will give a quizzes based on important details from assigned readings and class lectures/discussions.  Quizzes are a way for me to check that you are reading and understanding the material.  Quizzes will usually occur during the first ten minutes of class and cannot be made up.

Course blog 10%:   Throughout the term you will contribute posts to our course blog website (approximately one significant post, about 400-500 words, every two weeks), as well as respond to your classmates’ posts (at least two comments every two weeks).  The course blog will be a place for us to test out ideas, engage in discussion with each other outside of class, and share ideas and texts not included on the course syllabus.  (Course blog site: https://blogs.uoregon.edu/environmentalliterature230/ )

Close reading assignment 15%: The first formal writing assignment, due near the middle of the term, will be a paper of 3-4 pages.  It will involve close reading one or more specific passages from assigned course texts, allowing you to practice the skills that you will develop further in the final paper.  All papers must have a works cited page and a title, include correct citations in MLA format, and be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 pt. font, with standard margins.  More detailed assignment guidelines will be distributed as the due date approaches.

Final paper assignment 20%: The second formal paper, due at the end of the term, will be an extended literary analysis assignment of 8 pages.  You will have an option to complete one of two assignment prompts: either an imitation and analysis of one of a selection of writers we have read this term or an analysis/comparison of two writers we have read during the term.  I will also allow alternative topics for the final paper, as long as they are cleared with me at least two weeks before the due date; come talk to me during office hours as early in the semester as possible if you have ideas.  Regardless, in this assignment you will use the skills of close reading and literary analysis, and build on some of the approaches to thinking about environmental literature that we have been developing together throughout the term.  More detailed assignment guidelines will be distributed as the due date approaches.

Midterm exam 15%: The midterm exam will cover material in the first half of the term and will be based on the content of course readings, key terms, lecture material, and discussion.  No advanced or make-up exams.

Final exam 25%: The final exam will be the same format as the midterm exam, but it will be comprehensive (including material from the entire course) and twice as long.  No advanced or make-up exams

Course Policies

Attendance : Your regular attendance is vital to succeeding in this course.  You may miss two classes without penalty.  (NOTE: if you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you must still arrange to hand in that assignment on the scheduled due date).  Each subsequent absence will result in your overall course grade dropping by a full step (A to B, B to C, etc.) unless you have contacted me well in advance and we have agreed on alternative arrangements .  Absences for illness or sporting events count towards your two allowed absences.  Arriving late or leaving early will count as one half absence.

Late work : A hardcopy of all essays or other written work is due during class on the date indicated on the attached schedule.  Every day an assignment is late (including weekend days), it will be marked down one half letter grade (A to A- to B+ to B, etc.).  Quizzes and exams cannot be made up if you miss them.  If you have extenuating circumstances or if you foresee you are going to have difficulty making a deadline, please speak to me at least 48 hours in advance so we can problem solve.  Make-up exams will be given only in cases of documented emergency.  The final exam can neither be made up nor given in advance; thus, please make your winter break plans accordingly.

Cell phones/laptops/electronic devices: Even the most dedicated student can be distracted by technology.  Therefore, laptops are not allowed in this class.  If you need to use your laptop to take notes because of a documented disability, you should discuss this with me ahead of time.  Anyone found listening to music, talking on the phone, texting, etc., will be counted absent for the day, even if I decide not to interrupt class to draw attention to your activities.

Books in class: This is a literature class, which means we look closely at language and dissect its form and structure.  Attending a literature class without your individual book is like going to a chemistry lab without test tubes and chemicals: you can’t do the experiment because you don’t have the necessary tools.  Therefore, you are required to always bring assigned readings to class .  On days when the assigned reading is from a book, bring the book; on days when the reading is posted on our course website, print it out and bring the hardcopy printout to class.

Communication: One of the goals of our writing and our class discussions is to communicate with each other more effectively.  As follows, I strongly encourage you to communicate with me so that I can be in a position to understand your goals, questions, frustrations, and successes.  If you are feeling particularly unsure of your work, I want to know about it.  And if you ever find my comments on your papers confusing or inconsistent, I want to know about it.  If you are having difficulties (either in this class or outside it) that affect your work, confidence, or concentration, I want to know about that too.  Please stop by my office during office hours or contact me via email.

Academic honesty : All work submitted in this course must be your own and be written exclusively for this course.  The use of sources (ideas, quotations, paraphrases) must be properly documented. Please consult Rules for Writers for a definition of plagiarism and information on documentation and refer to the summary of the Code of Student Conduct on the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards website: http://uodos.uoregon.edu/StudentConductandCommunityStandards/AcademicMisconduct/tabid/248/Default.aspx. In cases where academic dishonesty has been clearly established, the award of an F for the final course is the standard practice of the Composition Program. Please see me if you have any questions about your use of sources.

  Access : If you have a disability (physical or learning) that you think may affect your performance in this class, please see me during the first week of the term so we can make arrangements, if necessary, for your full access to all classroom activities.  You may also wish to contact Disability Services in 164 Oregon Hall at 541-346-1155 or [email protected] .

Schedule of Assignments

This schedule is tentative and may change throughout the term.

Week 1: What is environmental literature and what can it do?

Week 2: Wilderness, nature, & the American imagination

Week 3: Thoreau

Week 4:  Between literature and science – Darwin, Carson & Leopold

Week 5: Poetic perspectives

Week 6: Poetic perspectives

Week 7: Space and place in fiction I, environmental justice

Week 8: Space and place in fiction II, globalization, and transnationalism

Week 9: Space and place in fiction II, globalization and transnationalism, cont…

Week 10: Staging the environment

Finals Week: final exam, Friday, December 7, 8:00 AM  (no early exams, no make-up exams) 

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What is an Environmental Writer?

Environmental writing is writing that focuses on environmental topics. It encompasses a wide range of different writing styles meant for different types of outlets and audiences. It may deal with various aspects of the environment, such as energy, technology, policy, wildlife, or trends in "green" industries.

An environmental writer is a person who writes about environmental topics. He or she may specialize in a particular area such as energy policy or a particular type of writing, such as news articles, magazine articles, or press releases.

What Does an Environmental Writer Do?

Environmental writers write about environmental topics for a variety of outlets. For example, they may cover energy, environmental policy, water issues, climate change, environmental justice, or new technologies and industry news. They may write in one style for one publication or employer, or many styles for different markets.

Environmental Article Writing

For example, some writers create environmental news articles for blogs, online magazines, and print magazines. Some write about environment-related industry news and trends for trade magazines read by workers in energy, construction, design, and related industries. This involves, choosing interesting topics appropriate for a particular outlet, "pitching" the idea to the editor, then researching and writing the story. The research stage may involve conducting interviews with stakeholders or requesting documents.

Environmental Journalism

Some writers are professional environmental journalists who write investigative pieces exposing illegal activity, unethical practices, or emerging environmental problems. They may write “hard news” meant solely to communicate new information, or engaging human interest stories that describe the effects of environmental problems on specific people or communities. All types of environmental journalism involve doing background research, which sometimes includes conducting interviews. Some write for news outlets such as CNN, while others write for environmental magazines such as Sierra, High Country News, or National Parks Magazine. A growing number of online news outlets, magazines, and blogs also publish environmental content. Data journalism is an emerging trend in the industry. Data journalism reflects the pivotal role that data now plays in the digital age. It analyzes available data to uncover trends, and communicates the information through maps, charts, and graphs. Multimedia journalism is another emerging area. This approach uses video and audio to bring stories to the public in a vivid and memorable way.

Environmental Communications

Some writers are communications professionals who write and edit press releases and white papers for nonprofit environmental organizations, research centers, and government agencies. Others write about industry news for companies that distribute daily newsletters to executives.

Environmental Copy Writing

Copy writers create advertising or marketing copy aimed at selling a product or service. Writers interested in the environment can write copy for green companies selling environmental products and services.

Environmental Technical Writing

Technical writers can focus on the environment by creating instructions, tutorials, and help pages for environmental software, environmental or scientific equipment, and earth-friendly consumer products such as solar-powered devices. Technical writers also write procedural manuals for company employees.

Other Genres

Some writers pen environmental fiction, such as novels, poetry, and other works that include lengthy descriptions of nature, reflections on nature, or plots involving environmental issues. Wallace Stegner, Annie Dillard, and Edward Abbey are a few examples of this type of author.

Nature writers create nonfiction accounts of traveling or living in the wilderness. These works include vivid and poetic descriptions of the natural world. Rick Bass and Anne LaBastille are examples of nature writers.

Where Does an Environmental Writer Work?

Communications professionals are usually employed full-time by businesses, where they work in offices and keep standard work schedules. They sometimes work against tight deadlines, and may occasionally work longer hours. Technical writers are also usually employed full-time, keeping traditional business hours in their onsite offices. However, some may work remotely some or all of the time. Copy writers are also usually employed by companies, either on a permanent, full-time basis, or as freelancers.

Some environmental journalists are employed as staff writers for magazines and newspapers. However, most are freelancers. Environmental article and blog writers, nature writers, and fiction writers are also usually freelancers.

Staff jobs with magazine publishers, book publishers, and nonprofits are often found in publishing hubs such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. However, many workers can now spend most of their time working over the Internet, only rarely traveling to the office. Also, due to the rise of websites connecting freelancers with contract work, writers are increasingly working remotely on a freelance basis. While freelancers do not receive benefits such as paid holidays and health insurance, they do have the flexibility to manage their own schedules and work environments. They're can also choose which projects they'd like to work on. They must handle bookkeeping, taxes, promotion, and management of their freelance businesses.

What Is the Average Environmental Writer Salary?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median salary of $67,120 for writers and authors. However, salaries vary widely depending on employment status, employer type, and other factors. Writers employed full-time by companies and government agencies generally earn higher salaries than freelancers or those employed by nonprofits. The top 10% in this profession earn more than $133,460.*

Environmental Writing Jobs & Job Description

An environmental writer is capable of understanding highly technical material such as raw data and scientific literature and restate it in a clear and concise way, so that interested but non-technical individuals can grasp the arguments and information presented. Writers have a set of responsibilities which vary significantly from job to job, but the list here includes typical job duties are expected:

• Analyze and interpret data obtained from literature reviews, research, and sample findings, imagery, and computer model predictive data
• Analyze historical data and historical issues
• Note and analyze trends and cycles; use model data to relay information about future trends
• Research, interview, and report on leading scientists and theories
• Explain and illustrate how the environmental event or trend in question may impact the earth, and human or animal populations
• Communicate clearly with the public and other stakeholders on tightly focused environmental incidents or broad environmental trends

Senior Environmental Writers often have enhanced job responsibilities that include managing, budgeting and team collaboration. Such responsibilities often include:

• Using clear perspective to steer the writer's article or series of articles
• Providing consultation and advice to agencies, professionals, or researchers
• Ensuring that writings and reports are both newsworthy and possessed of integrity in journalism
• Performing other duties of editor-in-chief
• Planning, organizing, and participating in outreach programs to engage the public
• Establishing valid and efficient workgroup protocols for a positive and challenging work environment
• Provide mentoring to junior team members

What Is the Job Demand for Environmental Writers?

BLS projects that employment of writers and authors in general will grow 9 percent between 2020 and 2030. Online writing outlets are growing, and there's an increasing number of startup companies providing environmental products and services that will need writers.*

What Environmental Writer Careers Are Available?

Some writers eventually work their way up to editorial positions. Editors identify and schedule stories, correct writing style, and manage teams of writers. Editors are usually full-time staff employees of organizations that publish magazines, books, newspapers, and Web content.

How Do I Get an Environmental Writer Degree?

There's no one track to becoming an environmental writer, other than earning a bachelor's degree. While a college degree is generally essential for writers, the degree type is somewhat flexible. Some environmental writers have degrees (B.A.) in journalism, communications, English, or writing. However, many have degrees in environmental science or related fields, along with excellent writing skills. If you're considering a career in this area, be sure to focus on courses in English, writing, technical writing, communications, journalism, environmental science, ecology, and geography. Classes in biology, chemistry, earth science, and engineering are also helpful for developing a solid understanding of environmental issues. Students interested in the emerging field of "data journalism" may want to add courses on statistics and computer science. Some writers earn master's degrees in science communication (M.S. or M.Sc.).

Related Degree Options for Environmental Writers

• Online Geoscience Degree
• Anthropology Bachelor's Degree Online Programs
• Biomimicry Degrees - Online and Campus
• Earth Science Master’s & Graduate Certificates Online
• Geodesign Online Degree Info

What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Environmental Writers Have?

• The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is the only such organization in North America. It organizes an annual conference, regional conferences, and meet-ups. SEJ funds grants and fellowships, offers workshops, and runs a mentoring program. It also hosts a library of resources, including guides, tip sheets, teaching resources, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) resources. FOIA is often used by journalists to obtain public information from the government.
• The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) provides a forum for science writers of all stripes to network and improve their skills. It hosts databases of funding sources, contacts, and jobs. It also provides tools, tips, FAQs, and mentoring resources. NASW publishes ScienceWriters magazine, holds an annual conference, and funds awards and grants.

*2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for writers and authors reflect national data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.

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180+ Excellent Environmental Essay Topics and Ideas

Table of Contents

If you are a school or a college student, then in your academic life you will be asked to write an essay on environmental topics at least once. Right now, do you want to write a brilliant environmental essay for your assignment? Are you searching for the best environmental essay topics?

In our world, a lot of environmental issues exist, and hence, for writing an academic essay, you have a wide range of environmental essay topics to focus on. But choosing one specific topic out of a wide range of topics is a tedious process. So, to help you in selecting a good environmental essay topic, here, in this blog post, we have shared important tips for essay topic selection. Also, we have composed a list of the top environmental essay topic ideas for you to explore and write about.

Continue reading this blog post and get significant ideas for your environmental essay writing assignment.

How to Write an Engaging Environmental Essay

Writing environmental essays is common at all academic levels. Whenever your instructor assigns a task for you to write an environmental essay, make sure to come up with an original topic for the environmental essay.

The first step in the essay writing process is the topic selection. During the essay topic selection phase, initially, gather a lot of ideas and conduct preliminary research, and then, based on your research results, finalize a perfect topic for discussion.

In order to gather essay topic ideas dealing with environmental problems, you can refer to the following sources.

• Environmental journals and sources
• Documentaries
• The latest news developments on the environment

After you have identified a good environmental essay topic, prepare an essay outline to organize your ideas and structure your essay content. Then, with the help of your essay outline, prepare a detailed draft of your environmental essay by including the essential components such as the introduction, body, and conclusion. Finally, after completing the essay, proofread the essay content completely and edit it if there are any errors.

An environmental essay is said to be top-rated only if it

• Highlights possible measures of ecological conservation.
• Offers a valid solution to environmental problems .
• Provides new insights on trending environmental issues.
• Expresses the benefits of the environment to man and vice versa.

So, when writing environmental essays, make sure to cover all the above-mentioned points that are relevant to your essay topic. The essay you write should be simple, informative, and persuasive. Mainly, to make your readers believe your arguments, explain the major ideas of your essay with supporting evidence.

Environmental Essay Topic Selection Tips

Choosing a topic is the first and essential step in the essay writing process. Generally, for academic assignments, research paper writing, or essay writing competitions, the instructors will give a list of environmental essay topics for you to choose from. At times, they will not give you any ideas and will ask you to select a topic on your own.

In such cases, you need to pick a unique essay topic that will fetch an A+ grade. To help you in selecting a good environmental essay topic, here we have shared a few important tips. Make sure to follow them all while you are searching for an essay topic.

• Choose a topic that you are passionate about and have a strong knowledge of.
• The topic should excite and educate your readers.
• It should not be too broad. If the topic is too broad, then narrow them down and select any specific topic or subtopic.
• The environmental essay topic you choose should provide a valid solution.
• The topic should contain various sources of reference.
• It should have numerous pieces of evidence and examples.

Most importantly, along with all the above-mentioned tips, make sure to check whether or not the topic you have decided to write on satisfies the instructor’s writing instructions if there are any.

List of Environmental Essay Topics and Ideas

Here we have sorted different categories and have listed the top interesting environmental essay topics and ideas for students to consider when writing academic assignments.

If you are asked to write an environmental essay on any unique topic, then check the list of the essay topic ideas mentioned below and feel free to choose a topic that is ideal for you.

Environmental Essay Topics on Climate Change

• The difference between the impact of climate change on urban and rural territories
• Climate change and agriculture: a complex relationship
• The demographic impact of climate change
• How does climate change affect biodiversity?
• Climate Change impact on different social groups
• Regional-specific impacts of climate change
• The economic damage of climate change
• Climate change representation in media
• How much has transport evolution impacted climate change?
• Historical reaction to global changes in climate
• Climate change response that has the most potential in averting the crisis
• Have humans created the problem of climate change?
• List some simple things that governments could do to help address climate change problems.
• Climate change effects on the marine life
• Diseases that could come from the climate change
• Impact of climate change on the ecological state of Earth’s natural resources
• Impact of climate change on agricultural activities across the globe.
• Human activities have contributed to climate change.
• Leading causes of global climate change.
• Explain Global Warming with an emphasis on the Arctic

Additional Environmental Essay Topics on Climate Change

• Analyze the impact of climate change on the marine and forest ecosystems of the world
• How climate change affects the freshwater ecosystem and grassland ecosystem?
• Analyze the impact of climate change on Antarctic ice sheets
• Describe the potential impact of climate change on farming and food security with respective solutions
• Discuss the role of climate change adaptation strategies in reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience
• Describe the way different countries are tackling climate change and things that can be learned by the United States from these countries
• How is climate change affecting the stability and development of the global economy?

Ecology Essay Topics

• Ecology and society interactions
• Specifics of marine ecology
• Ecology and optimization: indivisible concepts
• Ecology changes after major damaging events.
• Energy crisis and ecology
• The future of tropical and rainforest ecology
• Ecology and tourism: helpful or harmful?
• Aging process as an ecological concept
• How have our food needs reshaped the ecology?
• The political presence of ecology
• Can any general laws be highlighted in ecology?
• Diversity and stability in ecology
• Software simulations and modeling in ecology
• The problems of invasion ecology and how they can be avoided
• How are new predators introduced into an area?
• How is the ecosystem of your backyard different from the ecosystem of another person’s backyard ecosystem?
• How is a desert ecosystem different from a forest ecosystem?
• Describe the causes and effects of black holes
• What is the ecological footprint?
• Overconsumption and its impact on ecology
• Identification of the key factors responsible for disturbing ecological balance
• Food Chain vs. Ecological Pyramid

Read more: Top-rated Ecology Research Topics For Academic Writing

Environmental Essay Topics on Global Warming

• Global warming and rising sea levels.
• The effects of Global Warming on the Environment.
• Is global warming real or a mere theory by scientists?
• The political aspect of global warming is mentioned in presidential debates.
• Should biodiversity be taught in middle schools as a part of global warming education?
• The causes of ocean temperatures increase through the lens of global warming
• Volcano activity in 2021: a clear sign of global warming?
• The role of the world’s scouting in the prevention of climate change dangers.
• Power plants in the United States and carbon dioxide emissions.
• Deforestation problem in Brazil: Amazon Forests case study.
• Global Warming: Issue Analysis.
• Global Warming: Harmful Impact on the Polar Bears.
• Global Warming and Other Ecology Issues.

Sustainability Essay Topics

• Solar electricity: how to achieve maximal sustainability
• Key indicators of the sustainability of the business.
• Is global sustainability achievable?
• Pros and cons of innovation for sustainability
• Sustainable chemical production through biological processes
• Economical advantages of sustainable businesses
• How to minimize machine energy consumption for potential sustainability?
• Sustainability of e-learning and working remotely
• How to maintain sustainability with business growth?
• Sustainable methods for managing and using water resources.
• The Impact of Green Energy on Environment and Sustainable Development
• A Robust Strategy for Sustainable Energy
• Environmental Conditions in Tunnels Towards an Environmentally Sustainable Future
• The Sustainable Hotel Environment
• International Environment Management and Sustainability
• Sustainability Development: Balancing Economic, Social and Environmental Dimensions
• What is the Environmental sustainability concept in the hospitality industry
• Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges of Environmental Sustainability
• Sustainability in Canada and the Impact of Coca-Cola Company on Environmental Protection

Environmental Science Essay Questions

• What are the causes of the decline in food resources?
• Discuss how the endemic and endangered animal species of the world survive.
• How green and sustainable are biofuels?
• The use of plants as heavy metal filters for water sources
• The impact of aerosols on the environment
• The problem of biodegradability of aging chemicals
• How does migration change with extreme events?
• Problems of wastewater treatment and personal care products
• Why are botanic gardens the best instruments for climate change research?
• The science of fisheries and the most sustainable approach to them
• Physical, Natural Environmental Issues Affecting the Food Industries.
• Reduction of CO2 from Atmosphere Resulting In a Better Future.
• Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Argumentative Environmental Essay Topics

• How green are electric cars?
• Can civilization survive by using only renewable sources of energy?
• Can quality public transportation reduce the carbon footprint?
• Are humans a primary reason for natural disasters?
• Can large cities get rid of air pollution from motor vehicles?
• Can we introduce environment conservation as a core course?
• Why should each home have a tree?
• Discuss alternative forms of energy that people can use
• Should the government promote the recycling of all products?
• Can we achieve a green environment devoid of any pollutants?
• How do factories and industries waste energy?
• Why are most people ignorant of protecting the environment?
• Do people observe ecological guidelines?
• Should we encourage a paperless society?
• Ways in which animals damage the environment

Read more: Argumentative Essay Topics That You Must Consider

Essay Topics on Environmental Issues

• Waste production challenges in Iceland and Faroes
• Ozone layer depletion in China and transparency of the reports
• Acid rain: how fair is an analysis of the causes that deal with ecological damage?
• Should genetic modification of crops be forbidden?
• An ethical aspect of overfishing in the Mediterranean Sea.
• How can biotechnologies and eco-energy affect population growth and the list of increased needs?
• The definition of biodiversity through the lens of globalization and technology
• International trading agreements and the problem of deforestation
• The use of AI technologies for the prevention of water pollution in the engineering sector.
• Urbanization versus Rural lifestyles

Environmental Law Essay Topics

• Can international environmental law be effectively enforced?
• The impact of scientific activism on the environmental law
• The ignorance of the general public on the question of environmental law
• Environmental law versus corporation Lobbyism
• Conflicts on an international level in environmental law discussions
• What should be a priority of international environmental legislation?
• How to encourage compliance with international environmental law norms?
• An impact of the Kyoto Protocol on pollution Levels
• The participation of non-governmental organizations in environmental law development.
• How to spread successful green policies from developed countries to the rest of the world?

Technology Saving Environmental Essay Topics

• How is smart home technology a game-changer?
• Is technology more damaging to the environment?
• Are electric vehicles the way to go?
• The part of technology in developing environment conservation techniques
• Technological methods of monitoring greenhouse gases
• Using an infrared sensor to monitor methane gas
• New in wastewater-filtering – multi-soil-layering
• The use of biofiltration to control the air pollution level.
• The IoT is used for resource management.
• Energy-saving innovations as a conservation effort

Environmental Essay Ideas on Human Impact

• The spread of nano plastic across the world – reasons and consequences
• The impact of military conflicts on conservation efforts
• Agricultural activities are a ticking time bomb on the environment.
• Are Genetically Modified Organisms a threat to the environment?
• Chemicals emitted by man deplete the ozone layer.
• Water pollution by humans next to rivers, seas, and oceans
• Why burning coal by humans is causing excessive acid rain
• The impact of heavy metal mining on the environment.
• Could nature return to the norm after human extinction?
• How is overfishing impacting aquatic life?

Environment Essay Topics on Conservation

• Do people celebrate ‘World Environment Day’ as they ought to?
• Are technological advances such as 5G harmful to the environment?
• Should the government provide recycling facilities to homesteads?
• Do you think it is necessary to have environmental awareness forums?
• Should schools introduce cycling as a means of transport to school?
• Why should everybody help to protect the environment?
• Should the government impose restrictions on deep-sea fishing?
• Should people buy bottled water?
• Why you should turn off your computer when you are not using it
• The role of science education in environmental conservation efforts

Interesting Environment Essay Prompts

• Should the penalties for littering be more severe?
• What causes glaciers to melt in the Polar Regions?
• Causes of hurricanes and tsunamis
• How are mental health and the natural environment related?
• Effects of harmful gases on the human respiratory system
• The influence of Confucianism on ecological conservation
• Can people live without electricity for a day?
• How has the coronavirus helped to recover the environment?
• Do people value street trees as nature beautifiers?
• Assess the impacts of daily activities on the environment
• Eco-man: the features of the formation of personal qualities.
• Ecological movements: domestic and foreign experience.
• Quality of life and the quality of the environment.
• Foreign experience in nature management.
• Health and radiation.
• Laws and principles of social ecology.
• Why is the garbage problem worse than we thought?
• Ways to adapt religious teachings to environmental conservation
• Mathematical model of the climate change historic evolution
• The analysis of the current radioactive situation in the Chornobyl Nuclear Plant.
• Discuss how the fulfillment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals can reduce the adverse impact of global warming-led climate change
• Critically analyze the effectiveness of market-based approaches (e.g., carbon pricing) in reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases
• Describe the eight ethical principles of climate change and their impact on the world’s vulnerable populations

Impressive Environmental Essay Ideas

• What is earth day, and why is it important?
• How to prevent Pandas’ extinction
• Explain the impact of melting glaciers on the environment.
• Analyze the reason behind birds’ migration.
• Explain how green technology can help the environment.
• Write about the different types of environmentalism.
• Explain how fossil fuels damage the environment.
• Discuss the ecotourism regulations in your country.
• Write about carpooling and its contribution to the environment.
• Explain the different water recycling methods.

Final Words

We hope you have identified an excellent topic from the list of the top environmental essay topics and ideas suggested above. If you still haven’t identified the essay topic and are not confident enough to prepare a brilliant environmental essay, then contact us for Environmental assignment help . We have a team of academic writers to assist you in writing top-quality, low-cost, and plagiarism-free essays as per your requirements on time.

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Introduction to Environmental Geology Writing Assignment

Students in an introductory environmental geology class research the Dust Bowl, analyze information and data and develop a written argument.

Expand for more detail and links to related resources

Activity Classification and Connections to Related Resources Collapse

Grade level.

Audience : Introductory Course

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered :

How the activity is situated in the course :

Content/concepts goals for this activity : The goal of the assignment is to develop and support an explanation of the Dust Bowl phenomenon.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity : Students will research and analyze 19th and 20th century climate change, accounts of the Dust Bowl from government documents, newspapers and periodicals.

Other skills goals for this activity : Students will analyze data, analyze and integrate different sources of information, and present a well developed written argument.

Description of the activity/assignment

In this writing assingment, students research and analyze the Dust Bowl. Students analyze data, analyze and integrate different sources of information, and present a well developed written argument.

Evaluation Rubric

The evaluation rubric is included with the assignment, so that students understand the grading criteria.

Grading Rubric for Papers:

A - The paper is comprehensive and focused around a particular, clearly stated thesis (or argument). The author uses a variety of sources, including at least one contemporary periodical/newspaper article and one government document. The paper contains an original analysis and combination of information. All references are cited correctly in text and in a References Cited section. The writing is excellent.

B - The thesis or problem posed in the paper is clearly stated. There are some gaps in information and a narrow range of sources, though at least one contemporary newspaper/periodical account and one government document has been used. The paper has some original thinking but is not as well-focused as an A paper. All references are cited correctly in text and in a References Cited section. The writing is good.

C - The focus of the paper is unclear. There is an over-dependence on a single source and inadequate detail on important parts of subject. Writing and organization are mediocre.

D - The focus of the paper is unclear. There is an over-dependence on a single source and inadequate detail with no analysis. Writing is mediocre to poor.

Download teaching materials and tips

• Dust Bowl Writing Assignment (Microsoft Word 51kB Nov28 05)

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Supporting references/urls.

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Environmental Writing Prompts: Teach Kids to Protect the Planet

The environment is an important part of our lives, and we must teach our children the value of protecting it. We have a unique opportunity as home educators to encourage our children to investigate environmental issues and write about solutions to problems such as pollution, climate change, and deforestation. 

Environmental writing prompts not only helps children grasp the issues confronting our planet, but it also helps them build critical thinking abilities and good communication skills.

In this post, we will present some environmental writing prompts to help youngsters investigate environmental challenges and write about possible solutions. These environmental writing prompts are intended to get youngsters thinking about the environment and how they may make a difference.

Eco-Friendly Writing: Environmental Writing Prompts for Children

Create a story about a character who helps protect endangered animals.

Encourage your child to use their imagination and create a story about a character who helps protect endangered animals. They could write about a wildlife conservationist, a veterinarian, or even a superhero who fights against poachers. Encourage them to research endangered animals and their habitats to make the story more realistic.

Write a persuasive essay about why people should reduce their carbon footprint.

Climate change is one of the biggest environmental issues facing our planet today. Encourage your child to write a persuasive essay about why people should reduce their carbon footprint . They could research the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment and provide examples of simple lifestyle changes that can make a big difference, such as using public transport or switching to renewable energy.

Create a poster to raise awareness about a particular environmental issue.

Visual aids can be a powerful way to raise awareness about environmental issues. Ask your child to create a poster that highlights a particular environmental issue, such as deforestation or plastic pollution. Encourage them to use eye-catching graphics and persuasive language to grab people’s attention.

Create an infographic about the impact of plastic on the environment.

Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue, and an infographic can be an effective way to illustrate its impact. Ask your child to create an infographic that highlights the effects of plastic pollution on wildlife, the ocean, and human health. Encourage them to use data and statistics to make the infographic more informative.

Write a poem about the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting it.

Encourage your child to explore their creative side and write a poem about the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting it. They could focus on a specific aspect of nature, such as a forest or a river, and use descriptive language to convey its beauty. Then, they could write about the impact of human activities on the environment and why it’s important to protect it.

Write a script for a short film about the impact of climate change on wildlife.

Climate change has a significant impact on wildlife, and a short film can be an effective way to illustrate this impact. Ask your child to write a script for a short film that highlights the effects of climate change on wildlife. They could focus on a specific species, such as polar bears or penguins, and use scientific research to make the film more informative. Encourage them to include a message about the importance of taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Write a diary entry from the perspective of a tree.

Encourage your child to imagine what it would be like to be a tree and write a diary entry from its perspective. They could write about the challenges of growing in a particular environment, the benefits of being a tree, and the impact of human activities on their environment.

Write a story about a group of friends who work together to clean up their local park .

Encourage your child to write a story about a group of friends who notice that their local park is littered with trash. They work together to clean up the park, and along the way, they learn about the impact of litter on the environment and the importance of keeping our public spaces clean.

Write a news article about the impact of climate change on a specific species.

Climate change has a significant impact on wildlife, and it’s important to raise awareness about its effects. Ask your child to choose a species that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and write a news article about the impact of climate change on that species. They could interview experts and use scientific research to make the article more informative.

Write a script for a play about the importance of renewable energy.

Renewable energy is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. Ask your child to write a script for a play that highlights the importance of renewable energy. They could include information about different types of renewable energy and the benefits of using them. Encourage them to make the play engaging and informative for their audience.

Write a persuasive essay on why we should plant more trees in urban areas.

Urban areas often lack green space, and planting trees can have a positive impact on the environment and human health. Ask your child to write a persuasive essay on why it’s important to plant more trees in urban areas. Encourage them to include scientific evidence about the benefits of trees, such as reducing air pollution and improving mental health.

Write a fictional story about a world without plastic.

Plastic is a major environmental issue, and it’s important to explore alternative solutions. Ask your child to write a fictional story about a world without plastic. They could imagine a world where everything is made from natural materials or where people have found innovative solutions to replace plastic. Encourage them to use their creativity to imagine a world without plastic.

Write a diary entry about a day spent in nature.

Spending time in nature is an excellent way to connect with the environment and appreciate its beauty. Ask your child to write a diary entry about a day spent in nature, describing their experiences and reflections. Encourage them to include details about what they saw, heard, and felt, and to express their feelings about the importance of protecting the environment.

If you would like to have a copy of these environmental writing prompts please click the button.

Environmental writing prompts are a fantastic way to encourage children to explore environmental issues and write about solutions to problems like pollution, climate change, and deforestation. Writing about these issues not only helps children understand the problems our planet faces, but it also helps them develop critical thinking skills and effective communication. 

As home educators, we have a unique opportunity to teach our children about the importance of protecting the environment and empowering them to take action to make a positive difference. I hope that you and your children enjoy using these prompts in your Home Education.

Recommended Reading

Igniting Action: Climate Change Writing Prompts – Dive into thought-provoking climate writing prompts. Reflect, imagine, and explore solutions to combat climate change.

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Sustainability and Environmental Persuasive Writing

• Year 3 - 10
• Persuasive writing
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Environmental
• Biodiversity
• Sustainability

This unit offers a variety of engaging activities that aim to increase students' understanding of sustainability and environmental issues, while developing their literacy skills. The activities include analyzing media stories and scientific agency reports, brainstorming energy issues, and learning about environmental footprints. Students also write persuasive letters to politicians, school leaders, and event organizers, advocating for sustainable practices. The lessons are designed for a flipped classroom, allowing students to learn new content independently and freeing up class time for hands-on work.

Thought-provoking lessons featuring questions and activities designed to stimulate students' interest.

Flipped classroom - Tuning into sustainability

Explicit instruction on the topic, increasing in complexity and breadth of knowledge.

What's my footprint?

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SUNY ESF Courses

Composition Courses

Ewp190 writing and the environment.

Satisfies SUNY’s General Education Requirement for “Basic Communication”

Primary Audience: First-Year Students

Three hours of lecture, discussion, and workshops per week. Introduction to academic writing, reading, and research, reflecting college-level literacy skills of analysis, argument, and critical thinking. The course includes frequent informal writing assignments and three formal writing projects requiring revision. An oral presentation is required. Fall.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete EWP 190 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Write and support an argument that demonstrates skills of analysis.
• Enact basic research strategies and methodologies that reflect an ability to evaluate and integrate a range of sources in writing.
• Read, analyze, and interpret challenging and complex texts.
• Engage in a writing process (inventing, drafting, revising, editing, reflecting) that includes revision and feedback from both peers and instructors.
• Prepare, present, and evaluate an oral presentation.

Course Projects

Formal Projects Include :

Synthesis Paper

• Students learn to write college-level essays drawing from two or more shared readings.

Analysis Paper

• Students learn how to engage in the analytical process. Critical thinking is emphasized. Library research and primary research are required.

Argument Paper

• Students learn the basic skills of argument as they write a persuasive paper. Critical thinking is emphasized, library research and primary (scholarly) research is required.

EWP290 Research, Writing & Humanities

Satisfies SUNY’s General Education Requirement for "The Humanities"

Primary Audience: First-Year Students/Sophomores

Three hours of discussion and group work per week. Intended for students who have had an introductory writing course. Students will examine the views of nature and the environment as they are expressed by selected writers, poets, and essayists. Frequent informal and formal writing assignments, research and documentation, and an oral presentation are required. With an emphasis on critical writing, critical thinking, and critical reading, students will learn the literacy expectations of their disciplines. Spring.

Prerequisite(s): EWP 190 or equivalent.

Students who successfully complete EWP 290 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Compose texts that investigate a focused topic of inquiry around the environment.
• Write a research-based essay integrating primary and secondary research.
• Critically analyze various works of environmental literature and/or creative non-fiction.
• Research and write collaboratively.
• Diagnostic Essay
• Research Essay
• Collaborative Project
• Research Portfolio

Professional Writing

Ewp407 professional writing.

Primary Audience: Juniors/Seniors

Three hours of lecture, discussion, and workshops per week. Includes principles and practices of writing and communication skills relevant to environmental professionals. Emphasizes proficiency in analyzing audience and purpose; selecting, developing and organizing information in an appropriate design; and writing clearly, precisely and effectively. Fall and Spring.

Prerequisite: EWP 290 and junior or senior status, or permission of instructor.

Students who successfully complete EWP 407 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Write in a range of professional genres appropriate for environmental disciplines.
• Produce a sustained, multiple-product writing project.
• Enact methods of audience analysis to produce texts that reflect considerations of audience, context, and purpose.
• Use copyediting and document design strategies that demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of design and text, and that show competency for using appropriate technology to produce those documents.
• Collaborate ethically and responsibly.
• Convey information effectively in an oral presentation.
• Instructions
• Business correspondence (emails, letters, memos)
• Document Design

EWP444 Writing for Paper & Bioprocess Engineering Professionals

Three hours of lecture, discussion, and workshops per week for 10 Weeks. Emphasizes writing practices required of paper and bioprocess engineers, including proposals and technical reports. Develop proficiency in determining the purpose of a document; analyzing audience; selecting, developing and organizing information in an appropriate design; and writing clearly, precisely and effectively.

Students who successfully complete EWP 444 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce a proposal and technical report appropriate for the field of PBE.
• Technical Reports

EWP495 Environmental Journalism

Three hours of lecture per week. This course covers a range of topics related to journalism: interviewing, writing the lead, style, writing and organizing the story, layout, editing and revising, writing features and follow-up stories, covering speeches, etc. In addition, students explore how the media covers scientific and environmental issues. Students work on writing skills--from basic editing techniques to more sophisticated areas of style. Spring.

Students who successfully complete EWP 495 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce at a professional level the following newspaper/magazine story formats: features: top stories, people, ideas, trends; profiles editorials and viewpoints event-based stories.
• Effectively evaluate-and be a better consumer of-the media.
• Write well under pressure.
• Gather and organize information.
• Interview effectively.
• Technical understanding of digital media.
• Weekly short news stories posted on the class news site
• Long-form feature articles
• Long-form profile stories
• Short journalistic pieces

EWP311 Urban Environmental Literature

Three hours of discussion and lecture per week. Development of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills that illustrate the flora, fauna, geology, and climate that shape urban life. Evaluation and discussion of poetry and prose by contemporary authors who use urban nature as their subjects. Spring.

Prerequisite: Upper division status or permission of instructor.

Students who successfully complete EWP 311 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Identify and discuss works of contemporary and twentieth century American nature literature in which urban nature is not merely the setting, background, or casual reference point but a central subject.
• Discuss literature (and other texts) in relation to the geographic and cultural aspects of place and identity in an urban setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of different literary elements and the creative process used by regional writers who explore urban environmental issues.
• Analyze several forms of written expression (poem, novel, autobiography, short story, memoir, creative non-fiction, essay) and the ways in which these genres explore the relationship between nature and culture.
• Analyze the ways in which the city has been conceptualized by the dominant literature of western culture, examining the trope of an urban wilderness and the ways in which the concept of a nature is constructed in and by an urban culture.
• Apply knowledge of the hard sciences and the social sciences to the literary analysis of texts, looking at topics such as land use management, policy, urban planning, ecology, resource distribution, and geology.
• Use their own writing to summarize, analyze, or respond to a text.
• Analytical Essays
• Critical and Close Reading
• Critical Research
• Short critical responses
• Creative Projects

EWP350 Eco-Cinema: Perspective & Practice

Primary Audience: Honors Students

Three hours of lecture/discussion and two-hour film screening each week. Environmental films are interpreted from cultural, historical, and political perspectives. The artistic process in filmmaking is emphasized. Students produce a short film or slide show with an environmental theme. Spring.

Prerequisites: EWP 190 and EWP 290 or Equivalent; Enrollment in Honors Program.

Students who successfully complete EWP 350 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Describe how environmental concerns are socially constructed through viewing, discussing, and interpreting films.
• Present major questions, concepts, histories, and topics in environmental film and literature.
• Interpret literature and film within environmental, political, and philosophical contexts, and to understand the significance of various interpretations.
• State of the Environment Essay
• Media & The Environment Essay
• Wildlife Digital Story
• Film Documentary Project

EWP390 Literature of Nature

Primary Audience: Juniors

Three hours of discussion and lecture per week. Examination of views of nature and the environment as seen through works of 19th and 20th century writers, poets, and essayists. Readings, discussions, and written assignments explore aesthetics, socio-political climate, and prevailing attitudes toward the environment that formed the backdrop for readings. Fall and Spring.

Students who successfully complete EWP 390 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Identify some of the representative major writers, poets and essayists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries who used nature as a theme.
• Discuss various divergent points of view of nature as held by industrialists, humanists, scientists, environmentalists, etc.
• Recognize and discuss critically the cultural assumptions about 'nature' informing a variety of texts from a range of historical contexts.
• Continue the development of their skills in the areas of research, textual analysis and interpretation, and communication, both oral and written.

EWP490 Contemporary Literature of Nature

Three hours of discussion and lecture per week. This writing-intensive literature course takes an ecocritical approach to nature literature, both poetry and prose, written by contemporary authors. Coverage includes ecofeminism, science literature, and native American literature. Spring.

Students who successfully complete EWP 490 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Identify and discuss works of contemporary and twentieth century American nature literature in which nature is not merely the setting, background, or casual reference point but a central subject.
• Define ecocriticism and apply that method of literary analysis to a work of contemporary nature literature.
• Recognize and appreciate the differences between new and traditional media in the production of literary texts.
• Demonstrate knowledge of different literary elements and the creative process used by regional writers who explore environmental issues.
• Analyze several forms of written expression (poem, novel, autobiography, short story, memoir, essay) and the ways in which these genres explore the relationship between nature and culture.
• Examine the factors that shape our thoughts and actions towards nature, and what role text plays in that process.
• Apply knowledge of the hard sciences and social sciences to the literary analysis of texts, looking at topics such as land use management, policy, ecology, resource distribution, and geology.
• Use their own writing to summarize, paraphrase, analyze, critique, or respond to a text.
• Present their ideas, including summary, interpretation, and critique of written texts, orally.

EWP494 Creative Non-Fiction in the Sciences

Three hours of classroom instruction per week. Students in the course will read and write creative nonfiction, a genre that reflects a harmonious movement among subjective experience, factual research, and public interest in science and the environment. The course focuses on the writing processes and techniques used to write ideas, theories, and experiences to a lay audience. Spring.

Prerequisite: EWP 190. Note: Credit will not be granted for both EWP 494 and EWP 694.

Students who successfully complete EWP 494 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Understand the multi-genre domain of creative non-fiction writing that shares the characteristics of literature, creative writing, non-fiction, and exposition.
• Read and analyze works of creative non-fiction.
• Discuss some of the theoretical problems posed by creative non-fiction works.
• Define the ethical responsibility of the writer in the manner of representing people and events.
• Write a variety of creative non-fiction pieces up to 15 pages in length.
• Short creative nonfiction pieces
• Sustained nonfiction project that build on earlier assignments
• Individual presentation
• Reading responses
• Group presentation

Public Presentation Skills

Ewp220 public presentation skills.

Primary Audience: Sophomores

Development of skills and fluency needed by environmental professionals in preparing,delivering and evaluating effectiveness of expository and persuasive oral presentations. Communication theory, rhetorical analysis, and visualizations of complex and technical data, self and peer evaluation, listening skills. Fall/Spring.

• Students who successfully complete EWP 220 will demonstrate the ability to:
• Demonstrate ability to prepare and deliver oral presentations to a given audience for a specific purpose.
• Demonstrate the process for selecting, preparing, and effectively using visuals to enhance presentations.
• Explain the relationship between communication theory and oral presentation practices.
• Articulate the complexity of the relationship between culture and communication.
• Describe the role of ethics in speech communication.

Formal Presentations Include :

• Introducing a Speaker
• Informative Presentation
• Persuasive Presentation
• Town Hall Meeting

EWP222 Presentation Skills for Managers

Primary Audience: Sustainable Construction Management & Engineering Majors

Three hours of lecture/discussion per week for 10 weeks. Development of skills needed by managers in preparing, delivering, and evaluating oral presentations for the professional workplace. Includes instruction on preparation and implementation of effective visual aids. Strategies for facilitating small group discussions and developing listening skills are emphasized. Fall.

Students who successfully complete EWP 222 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Articulate how considerations of audience, purpose, and context are relevant to preparing and delivering effective presentations.
• Demonstrate competency in delivering oral presentations appropriate for engineering professions.
• Demonstrate how to facilitate small group discussions in the professional workplace.
• Demonstrate the process for preparing and using effective visual aids.
• Facilitation of Small Group Discussion

EWP420 Advanced Public Presentation Skills

Three hours of lecture/ discussion/student presentations per week. Emphasizes both theory and practice in effectively delivering, interpreting, and responding to public presentations. Social, cultural, and political dimensions of public address are examined. Issues of diversity and power are discussed. Small group communication is viewed as a site for creative problem-solving. Audience analysis, adaptation, strategic arrangement, and concept development are explored. Fall and Spring.

Prerequisite(s): EWP 220 or permission of instructor.

Students who successfully complete EWP 420 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Prepare and deliver presentations that address varied purposes (e.g., to persuade, to inform, to motivate) with attention to audience and context.
• Speak effectively in interpersonal, group, and public contexts with spontaneity and confidence.
• Research speech topics and integrate credible research into the speech delivery.
• Develop convincing oral arguments, supported by facts, statistics, examples, testimonies, and interviews, as appropriate.
• Facilitate group discussions around readings and selected topics.
• Prepare outlines and mind maps when developing presentations.
• Apply design principles while selecting, creating, and integrating appropriate visual aids.
• Demonstrate competency in presentation software.
• Evaluate and respond to other presenters' speeches.
• Introduction of a Place
• Poster Presentation
• Final 30-minute Public Presentation
• Facilitation of Discussion
• Reading Responses

Writing Minor Courses

Ewp 300 survey of environmental writing.

Primary Audience: EWR Minors

Three hours of classroom instruction per week. Students will explore forms of environmental writing including but not limited to journalism, poetry, memoir, field notes, historical research, natural histories and polemics. Students will analyze these writings rhetorically and create a range of texts including creative pieces, factually-based reporting, nature writing, and writing about science. Fall/Spring. Prerequisites : EWP 190 and EWP 290.

Students who successfully complete EWP 300 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Analyze the nuances and conventions of a range of professional and public genres of contemporary environmental writing.
• Research and compose a variety of environmental document options including, but not limited to, field notes, journals, poetry, memoir, natural history, polemics, historical research, and collaborative projects.
• Develop their writing, revising, and editing skills through instruction, feedback and practice.
• Continue to develop their primary and secondary research skills.

Course Projects Include :

• Nature Journals and Field Notes
• Personal Essays
• Researched Feature Articles
• Style and Imitation Exercises
• Critical Reading Exercises

EWP401 Writing Minor Capstone

Experiential learning for the Environmental Writing & Rhetoric (EWR) minor through a writing project based on a) a community-based internship b) tutoring or completing special project in the Writing Resource Center, or c) an independent creative writing project. Fall and Spring. Prerequisites : Student must be registered for the EWR minor.

Students who successfully complete EWP 401 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Complete a sustained, high quality writing project associated with an internship, creative effort, or the Writing Center.

Options Include :

• Internship Project
• Creative Project
• Writing Center Project
• Public Speaking Center Project

Graduate Courses

Ewp597 graduate scholarly writing.

Primary Audience: Graduate Students (Focus on International Students)

Students learn advanced writing principles to produce a proposal, thesis, dissertation, or manuscript. Topics include the writing process, use of sources, and graphics. Scholarly writing style and mechanics are discussed with emphasis on organization, clarity, and conciseness. Spring.

Students who successfully complete EWP 597 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Use drafting and revision strategies to produce effective scholarly documents.
• Write in a scholarly style appropriate for a scholarly audience.
• Present information in a well-organized, clear, and concise manner.
• Prepare and integrate graphics effectively into documents.
• Use sources effectively and appropriately.
• Instructions & Procedures
• Literature Reviews
• Dissertation Chapters
• Thesis Chapters

EWP620 Advanced Public Presentation Skills

Primary Audience: Graduate Students

Three hours of lecture per week. Development of skills and fluency needed by environmental professionals in preparing, delivering and evaluating effectiveness of expository and persuasive oral presentations. Communication theory, rhetorical analysis, and visualizations of complex and technical data, self and peer evaluation, listening skills. Fall/Spring.

Students who successfully complete EWP 620 will demonstrate the ability to:

• Online Course

10 Environmental Writing Jobs (Get Paid to Save The Planet)

Ever thought of merging passion and paycheck?

As an environmental writer, not only can you collaborate with companies and government bodies, but you can also earn even before that degree is in your hands! Remember, while your love for the planet runs deep, there’s no harm in making money from it. Dive into topics like wildlife, green technologies, climate shifts, and more. Curious about what doors this opens? Dive deeper to discover!

10 Environmental Writing Jobs for You

As an environmental writer, you can work full-time or part-time, remotely , or on-site. Depending on what organization you wish to write for, there are various writing styles to explore. For example, writing news articles will differ from presenting investigative pieces. Each writing style fits different job descriptions, and we will explore the best opportunities available right now.

1. Environmental Journalism

A college degree in environmental science or related fields and excellent writing skills are essential to becoming an environmental journalist. You don’t have to be a professional writer with a college degree in journalism, communications, English, or writing, but it could be a plus. This form of writing requires extensive background research and may often warrant interviews. It involves writing investigative pieces that expose environmental problems, unethical practices carried out by ‘green’ companies, illegal environmental activities, etc.

Environmental journalists often work at news outlets or for environmental magazines. Data journalism and multimedia journalism are two other areas slowly but steadily entering the industry. They involve analyzing available data to discover and uncover new trends and using catchy audio-visuals to present stories to the public.

2. Eco Article Writing

As a freelance environmental writer, you can create content about conservation issues, alternative energy, climate change, and water pollution for blogs or science magazines. The good news is that there are many publications and organizations ready to pay for your work! If you are adventurous , you can share your discoveries and experiences with them for publication.

These eight publications pay freelance environmental writers well:

• The Open Notebook (pays $750 for interviews and $1,100 for featured stories)
• Australian Geographic (pays around $300AUD for 600-1000 words)
• Discover Magazine (pays $300 per story published on the web and $1 per word for stories printed)
• Sierra Magazine (pays a flat rate of $250 for reviews and opinion pieces, at least $350 for online stores, and $1 per word for feature articles with at least 3000 words)
• New Scientist (competitive rate per word, and you can negotiate)
• Hakai Magazine (Reportedly pays $0.75 to $1 per word for everything coastal)
• The Revelator (pays $300 to first-time contributors but can pay as much as $500 subsequently, depending on the story shared)
• BBC Future (pay is not disclosed)

These are only a few places to pitch your writing as an environmentalist and get paid. Each of these websites has submission guidelines to follow. Many other outlets will pay for your commissioned contributions. These resources on how to pitch your ideas can help.

3. Environmental Communications

Environmental communication professionals disseminate information about the environment to the public. However, it is not limited to that. It also involves writing and editing white papers and press releases for non-profit environmental organizations, government agencies, and research centers. Distributing newsletters, including industry news, is part of their job description. It is related to environmental journalism in that it guides the public’s understanding of environmental issues and policies, informs them of the people and organizations involved, and proposes possible fixes. Environmental communications provide a variety of career opportunities . You can work with news outlets as a journalist, non-profit organizations, marketing specialists, or government lobbyists.

4. Environmental Copywriting

Environmental copywriters create advertising copy aimed at selling a product or service. Many green companies sell environmental products and services. They need professional copywriters, either freelancers or full-time employees, to market these. They would preferably employ copywriters who have experience with environmental-related issues, as they can create a call-to-action that resonates with their target audience. With lots of technical knowledge and persuasive power, you could become the copywriter for a green company that needs to sell a product, create a fundraising letter, and everything in between.

5. Fiction Writing

Tell stories that evoke the emotions you want from readers and push them to act based on those emotions. As an environmental fiction writer, you can do this. Some copywriters do this to sell a product or service or raise funds through grants and donations. It doesn’t have to be a novel or piece of poetry ; it could be other works that describe nature in the most vivid ways. It could also illustrate environmental trends that may impact the earth. You can work with non-profit and profit-oriented organizations, using your writing to do a little convincing to make people rally to an environmental cause .

6. Permit Writing

Permit writers develop legally defensible and enforceable permits to ensure that work is done safely and efficiently. They investigate and process environmental rights, ensuring compliance with regulatory agency requirements. They also spot unsafe conditions report them to management personnel and issue work permits as required. A permit writer often has a degree in occupational safety or related fields. They should also have a thorough understanding of federal, state, local, company, and client regulations. It’s crucial to recognize hazardous situations and recommend corrective measures. Permit writing is a job for specialists and often requires being on-site.

7. Grant Writing

As a grant writer, you can get paid to write proposals for funding to government institutions, foundations, or trusts. Every non-profit organization needs the help of grant writers to get funds. With so many non-profit environmental organizations fighting for different causes, grant writers always have a job . You can earn as much as $5,000 or more on the job. Freelance grant writers charge up to $200 per hour. To write a successful grant proposal, the writer needs to know the target, use appropriate language, and understand general grantsmanship. Hence, experience writing environmental science-related grant proposals with, e.g., the EPA, NSF, or NOAA, can earn you thousands of dollars monthly. These six best grant writing books provide essentials to successful grant writing.

8. Environmental Marketing Intern

If you are passionate about making the world a better place, you can work as an intern with green companies offering internship opportunities. While learning about dynamic ways to solve environmental problems and gaining soft skills, you can also get paid. Organizations like the Rocky Mountain Institute offer paid internships for about 11 to 12 weeks for various positions. These include building electrification, which involves making recommendations to policymakers and portfolio energy optimization. You would deal with developing reference databases and supporting pilot projects, among many others.

9. Editing to save the planet

Environmental editors edit scripts written by authors to ensure that the text uses standard scientific terms and is free of spelling and grammatical errors . These editors are often writers who have moved up the career ladder. Understanding industry requirements, work approach, and client needs is essential. As an editor , you can work as a freelancer from home or show up when needed on-site. It often requires a professional degree and years of experience.

10. Technical Writing

Tech writers create tutorials, instructions, and help pages that make using environmental devices and software easier. They also provide information on eco-friendly consumer products like solar panels. Their writings are often published on websites or blogs , often under the how-to sections. Technical, and environmental writings are informative and educative. You can work as a freelance or permanent tech writer with organizations needing your services, including startup tech companies. If you are a student, these technical writing tips can help you improve your writing skills.

There are many more environmental writing jobs to explore. This list isn’t all-encompassing. It just highlights ten environmental jobs you can aspire to work in. Whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, or specialist, you can get paid to save the planet, and these are a few places to start.

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Rafal Reyzer

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.