International magazine highlights campus sustainability success

Sustainable Business Magazine may not be standard coffee-table reading, but it’s an international publication with almost 120,000 monthly readers and more than 10,500 Twitter followers.

Billed as the “only industry publication focusing solely on sustainable business development,” Sustainable Business Magazine:

• Spreads awareness of the values of sustainability;
• Informs readers about the exciting ways in which institutions meet challenges and champion corporate social responsibility;
• Features groups, associations, universities and companies that excel in promoting sustainable development; and
• Produces content based on economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and social sustainability.

“When the editor reached out to talk about the med center’s sustainability efforts, we were a bit surprised they even had heard of UNMC and Nebraska Medicine,” said sustainability manager Melanie Stewart. “We were excited to receive top billing on the cover, placement as first article and to be the only American organization featured in the issue.

“It’s an acknowledgement that we are working to lead the world,” she said. “While some of our efforts fly under the radar, what we have accomplished in a relatively short amount of time is impressive, especially for a research and health care institution. Our work is energy intensive, critical and never stops, which adds to the challenges but can also amplify the impacts.”

The title of the article, “A Healthy Future For All,” comes directly from UNMC/Nebraska Medicine’s mission. The magazine piece demonstrates how climate change, waste and pollution negatively affect one’s health, and it explains how the med center’s efforts are making changes that can improve the health of many and save lives.

“While we, as an organization, can accomplish great things, we do that with our people,” Stewart said. “It’s a good reminder of how small actions can really add up and how an individual’s voice can make a difference. I’m proud of everything we have achieved thus far, but I am particularly proud of the work the LiveGreen Ambassadors have done, and I look forward to what’s next.”

Read the Sustainable Business Magazine article.