20^th Eco-gen Ambassador Program- 1^st Report March 2018

Writing my first report as a regional ambassador of Austria, I am reminded of our last month's topic – 'What we can do for the environment'.

Here in Austria, we do absolutely NOTHING special about the environment!!!

Shocking! Is it?

NO... Its not shocking...It is inspirational...It is amazing!

The reason I say that is not because people don't care about the environment. It is because what would be considered as special or an effort in other countries is a part of every individual's daily life here.

I moved to Austria 6 months ago from UAE and am staying in a student hostel here near my school. In all this time, I have not yet come across any special eco event or a walkathon to create awareness about environmental protection or any recycling competition. This is because all this is not at all necessary, since the people of Austria are highly conscious about the conservation of environment.

In Austria people and the government work hand in hand to take care of their environment and eco-conservation is as simple as breathing, an activity that sustains life!

Let me explain what I am trying to highlight, with some examples related to Water, Power, Plastic use, and Waste, some important aspects related to environmental sustainability.

Water Conservation

Almost 100% of all Austrian drinking water comes from ground and spring water. Approximately half of this amount is provided by groundwater. The valuable water resources are well protected by the Austrian Water Act.

On a micro level, in Austria, the municipal supply tap water is potable. Bottled water is not used commonly or even if it is bought, people reuse the bottles many times by refilling it with tap water rather than purchasing another bottle. Metal bottles last much longer and plastic bottles go for recycling after being reused.

In the last 6 months that I am here, I have yet to come across any incidence of wastage of water.

Minimal use of Plastic

Here in Austria, plastic is used to the bare minimum. In shops and supermarkets, customers have to pay for bags; something that is complimentary in many other parts of the world. These bags are made of recycled paper or recycled plastic. Having to pay for bags, motivates most people to bring their own reusable fabric bags, thus cutting down use of plastic bags, contributing to reducing plastic waste.

Any plastic waste/packaging that is generated is recycled and does not end up in landfills or water bodies.

Power Conservation

Austria gets most of its electricity from hydropower. More than three-quarters of Austrian electricity comes from renewable sources, which also make up 34% of its total energy production. It is already far beyond the EU target, which calls on renewables to meet 20% of energy needs by 2020. Home to plenty of sun, wind and water, the nation hopes to increase that amount to 50% by 2030.

 

On a micro level, one thing that really caught my eye is the implementation of sensor or timer controlled lights in public areas, restrooms and common areas in housing compounds. In places where this technology is not available, lights are generally kept switched off and when someone enters the restroom they switch the light on, switching off before leaving. Hostels and Apartment complexes are also implementing similar measures to ensure conservation of electricity.

Another point to note is the minimal use of street and road side lights. Most roads in smaller cities and towns have very few street lights. Roads outside city limits have no street lighting at all and rely completely on reflective barriers to ensure driving safety without street lighting.

Waste Management

Austrian Waste Management Act clearly establishes "waste hierarchy" as the guiding principle, with due focus on regulating what is generated. Recycling further minimizes waste. Separate collection of different types of waste is well developed right from the smallest levels to the local community and larger commercial levels. Be it in streets, schools, hostels, housing areas or apartments, whether in commercial areas, shopping malls, trains, train stations or at the airport; in Austria I have seen waste being controlled and segregated at source itself. Several take-back obligations are implemented to recover hazardous materials. Packaging Ordinance encourages recycling, towards reduced waste generation.

At a micro level, the 3 Rs- 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' are an integral part of Austrian lifestyle and waste management is an important and effective contributor to environmental conservation. Use of proper segregation bins for organic, recyclable and non recyclable waste ensures no mixing of waste and makes it easier for anyone and everyone to recycle or dispose off different categories of waste. In our hostel room too, we use a separate bin to dispose, organic waste, other different bins for different types of recyclable waste (paper, plastic, glass, metal) and another one for rest of the non recyclable waste.

Organic waste is either composted or used to produce Biogas.

On the other hand, education plays a major role in teaching the students about waste management. Right from early years, the curriculum includes environmental protection, and waste management is an important topic covered under this subject. Every child in Austria knows what each type of bin signifies and which waste must be put where. Growing up with such awareness contributes to an environment friendly population.

Conclusion

Austria is a beautiful country with abundance of natural resources and a mesmerizing environmental balance of mountains, water bodies, flora and fauna and manmade components as well.

To quote Paul Claudel, "It is not my thorns that protect me, says the rose. It is my fragrance." In a similar context, people of Austria do not take care of the environment because they are compelled by someone to do so but because they truly cherish the beauty of nature around them and it is a part of their lives as much as they are a part of it.

This environmental attitude is not an ephemeral act or two but a mindset and a habit. Now that I am staying here, this is growing on me too. I am highlighting this topic because I feel that the example my new homeland has set is one to be looked up to and followed by rest of the world. I hope my fellow ambassadors, members of the forum and readers can be inspired by Austria and will share this positive way of living in their communities too.

Let us learn from Austria. Let us protect and preserve our environment and make it so beautiful that we are compelled from within, to revere it. Let us cherish it to the extent that we do not need to do anything special for the environment and eco-conservation becomes a part of living- as simple as breathing, an activity that sustains life, just like the environment does!!!!