Ask the Vairo Librarians
Have Questions?
- Email-a-Vairo Librarian: vairolibrary@psu.edu
- Phone-a-Vairo Librarian: 610.892.1380
- Text-a-Vairo Librarian: 610.314.7890
- Library hours
Current Event and Background Sources
Op-Ed Information and Tips
What is an Op-Ed?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an op-ed is "An essay in a newspaper or magazine that gives the opinion of the writer and that is written by someone who is not employed by the newspaper or magazine" and stands for opposite editorial. Op-Eds are sometimes referred to as Opinions and/or Commentary.
Historically, op-eds were written and published by newspapers, but over time other print and online media outlets such as magazines, journals, blogs, wikis, etc. began including these types of editorials.
Not all opinion pieces are called "op-eds" and are often labeled "Opinion", "Current Opinion", "Opinion Essay", "Guest Editorials", "Commentary", etc. Editorials and Letters to the Editor are not true opinion editorial pieces, as the former is usually written by an editorial board and the latter is a response to an item and doesn't follow op-ed guidelines.
- The Op-Ed ProjectThe Op-Ed Project scouts and trains under-represented experts (especially women) to take thought leadership positions in their fields (through op-eds and much more)
- Smith College Op-Ed GuidelinesGuidelines on Op-Eds from Smith College
- Harvard College: How to write an op-edTips from the Kennedy School Communication Program on writing effective op-eds
In addition to the news sources available on your class website, there are several library databases that will allow you to access both national and international news publications.
- Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) This link opens in a new windowA collection of over 1000 reference resources.
Web Sources
New York Times: (sign up for free digital access!)
Register for FREE digital access to the New York times, thanks to PSU Student Affairs News Readership program!
Follow the prompts and use your @PSU.edu email address to sign up: https://nytimesineducation.com/access-nyt/
Read more about the News Readership Program here: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/involvement-student-life/student-services/student-news-readership-program/digital-access
General Science and Earth Science Sources:
- The CounterA nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan newsroom investigating the forces shaping how and what America eats
- The Conversation: Science + TechnologyA nonprofit, independent news organization that distributes explanatory journalism on relevant topics.
- Earth & Space Science NewsLatest news and updates from the Earth and space sciences. Eos is the leading source for trustworthy news and perspectives about the Earth and space sciences and their impact
- EnsiaEnsia is an independent, nonprofit magazine presenting new perspectives on environmental challenges and solutions to a global audience.
- The Guardian: Climate ChangeNews from The Guardian (U.S. Edition) about climate change.
- The Guardian: EnvironmentNews from The Guardian (U.S. Edition) regarding the environment
- Hakai MagazineHakai Magazine explores science, society, and the environment from a coastal perspective.
- Issues in Science and TechnologyA quarterly journal published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and Arizona State University.
- JSTOR Daily Science & TechnologyJSTOR Daily offers analysis of news, tapping into scholarship on JSTOR, a digital library of academic journals.
- JSTOR Daily: SustainabilityContext for current events using scholarship found in JSTOR
- The MarjorieA woman-owned reporting nonprofit that promotes a greater understanding of issues related to women and the environment in Florida through storytelling and community building.
- National Geographic: ScienceArticles published in National Geographic about science and innovation.
- NPR: ScienceScience news from National Public Radio
- New York Times: EarthNews about Earth, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.
- New York Times: ScienceArticles published in the New York Times relating to all fields of science.
- Science News: Earth and EnvironmentArticles about earth and the environment from Science News, a magazine of the society for science and the public.
- Stanford University Earth MattersScience and insights for people who care about Earth, its resources and its environment
- Yale Environment360Online magazine published by Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies & Yale University. Offers opinion, analysis, reporting and debate on global environmental issues.
Climate Specific Sources:
- The Conversation: Environment & EnergyA nonprofit, independent news organization that distributes explanatory journalism on relevant topics.
- Earth & Space Science News: Climate ChangeNews from Eos regarding climate change.
- Grist: Climate & EnergyGrist is an independent news source focusing on climate, social justice, and sustainability issues. Follow this link to find articles published by Grist about climate and energy topics.
- The Guardian: Climate ChangeNews from The Guardian (U.S. Edition) regarding climate change.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
- National Climate AssessmentThe National Climate Assessment (NCA) assesses the science of climate change and variability and its impacts across the United States, now and throughout this century.
- New York Times: Climate and EnvironmentNews about climate and the environment, including commentary and archival articles, published in The New York Times.
- Nexus Media NewsAn editorially independent, nonprofit news service covering stories about climate change.
- Science News - Climate,independent, nonprofit source of accurate information on the latest news focusing on climate.
- Scientific American: ClimateFeatures, news, opinion and multimedia stories from journalists and expert authors
- Stanford University Earth Matters: Climate ChangeScience and insights focused on climate related issues.
- The Washington Post: Climate and EnvironmentNews related to climate and the environment printed in the Washington Post.
- Yale Environment 360: ClimateOnline magazine published by Yale. Offers opinion, analylsis, reporting and debate on climate issues.