UNMC employees are being asked to turn off their lights as they leave their offices as part of the medical center’s ongoing push to increase environmental sustainability.
As the campus continues to grow in size, it uses more resources such as power and electricity. Steps such as hitting the lights when you leave a room and turning off your computer monitors can help UNMC reduce the amount of energy it consumes.
“As UNMC grows in size, so does its responsibility to be a good steward of the environment,” said Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor for business and finance who sparked an increased push for increased environmental responsibility on campus by forming the UNMC sustainability team. “At an individual level, we need to take the steps we can to conserve resources and protect the environment.”
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And such efforts become even more important in light of the fact that, as of Jan. 1, UNMC received a 28 percent rate hike from the Omaha Public Power District.
“Turning off the lights can help us offset the increased expense we will incur because of the rate hike,” Combs said.
Hitting the lights is just one of several measures UNMC will push in an effort to increase its environmental sustainability, said UNMC safety manager John Hauser, who also is co-chairman of the UNMC Sustainability Team with recycling manager Rick Boldt.
“The need for the campus to increase its sustainability grows as we grow,” Hauser said. “We call on employees to help do their part by taking such steps as turning off their lights and monitors when not in use.”
Read future editions of UNMC Today for more information regarding the medical center’s push for increased sustainability.