Contrary to popular belief, sustainability isn’t just planting trees and recycling. Sustainability incorporates a wide variety of elements such as social development and economic costs.
According to UNB, they understand and accept the responsibility as an institution of educators, researchers, passionate students and community members to support the advancement of sustainability locally and globally.
UNB views sustainability as a simultaneous pursuit to achieve economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social equality. Check out the Green Review blog post What is Sustainability? to learn more.
During the month of October, there will be a poster series on screens across the Saint John campus highlighting the work that the UNB community is doing to meet these targets.
UNB Sustainability Program
The UNB Sustainability program was created in 2014 and is a part of the Energy Management unit within Campus Operations.
When the Sustainability program was established, a Sustainability Coordinator was hired to develop and carry out programming. Since the commencement of UNB Sustainability more staff members have been added to the team to support sustainability initiatives at UNB.
By definition, sustainability is meeting the world’s current needs without hindering future generations from meeting their needs.
Below you can find information regarding the events being held at the UNBSJ campus all week.
Survey
This survey is a chance to help set the future sustainability activities for this campus. Students and staff are encouraged to take the survey to let UNB Sustainability members know what you care about and want to see on campus! To participate, please click on the following link.
Society clean up
This is a competition for different Clubs and Societies on campus to organize group and individual trash clean-ups. Groups can win prizes for most garbage collected and most interesting find.
The clubs and societies can submit their information from the month of October until November 5.
What is sustainability?
On Wednesday, October 20, there will be a discussion on what sustainability is in Hazen Hall 126 from 2 to 3 p.m. It will include teaching on the three pillars of sustainability, the sustainable development goals, and what UNB is doing to help.
Sharing Economy lunch ‘n’ learn on October 21
Come out to the Whitebone Pizzeria at lunch to meet like-minded people and talk about the Sharing Economy, which involves saving money and reducing waste. This event is featuring Brent Harris from the Saint John Tool Library. Learn all about this new approach to our economy and how it can help to support all three pillars of Sustainability from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30pm.
Tai Chi in the Quad
Take some time for yourself and focus on your own personal sustainability by stopping by the Quad to learn Yang Style Tai Chi. This form of Tai Chi enables beginners and experts alike to concentrate on, and appreciate, the essential principles of Tai Chi: effortless movement, relaxation, and awareness of the mind and body as one. The event will be on Tuesday, October 26 from 12:10 to 1 p.m.
Virtual meditation introduction
Join SKY Campus Happiness as they host a free virtual introductory meditation session for UNB on Wednesday, October 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. Their goal is to provide people a glimpse of what their meditation practices resemble.
SKY Campus Happiness is an organization that aims to teach meditation for stress management and overall improvement of wellbeing. They have been active on over 50 campuses throughout the United States, with their meditation practice being examined in studies among students at Yale University. This session is open for any UNB student, staff, or faculty member interested and isn’t one you want to miss! Join at this link.
Yoga in the Quad
Come to the Quad as we enjoy yoga in the fresh air on Thursday, October 28 from 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m. Relax, breathe, and stretch to prepare yourself for what challenges lie ahead. Sustainability starts with you!
Academic Bike Challenge
Make sure to check out the Academic Bike Challenge this month! Whether you are a student, staff, or faculty member, UNB encourages you to use active transportation for your commute to campus. Biking to campus is a great way for the UNB community to live sustainability, and you could win a prize for biking the most of all participants.
