Research Paper Ideas

The following list is suggestive and hopefully helpful:

• Discuss the history and progress of a bill (legislation) dealing with the environment (which actors were involved, what problems arose and how were they addressed, did the bill pass or not, why or why not)
• Discuss how science is used in the debate over environmental legislation or how it is involved in debates about particular issues (e.g., biodiversity, global climate change, whales and Navy sonar)
• Describe and explain the trend in public opinion regarding the environment or particular issues
• Compare and contrast CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC and their coverage of environmental issues
• Compare and contrast men and women (gender differences) in their opinion about environmental issues
• Provide an analysis of how the news media covers the environment in general and certain issues in particular
• Analyze the activities of one or more environmental groups (philosophy, tactics, strategies, membership, etc.)
• Examine partisanship in the U.S. Congress and environmental policy
• Present a case study of one president and the environment or compare two or more presidents.  What criteria would you use to determine who is a "green" president?
• What is the role of the courts and in what ways do the courts get involved in environmental policy?
• Present a case study of environmental policy in Virginia over the last quarter century
• Compare and contrast Virginia with its neighbors (Maryland and North Carolina) and their commitment to environmental quality 
• Compare and contrast Virginia with Maryland and Pennsylvania and their commitment to restoring the environmental quality of the Chesapeake Bay
• What role has the U.S. played in the international community regarding global climate change?
• Examine business and industry and explain which companies are becoming "green" and why?
• Present an examination of energy policy in the United States.  What are the problems and potential solutions?  Include in your discussion which actors are involved and what role they might play to push their interests and/or shape energy policy.