Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Austria's Alpine Environment
Given the fragile ecosystem of the Austrian Alps, conservation, renewable energy and sus-
tainable tourism are red-hot topics. In the face of retreating glaciers, melting snow, dwind-
ling animal numbers and erosion, the people of the Alps come face to face with global
warming and human impact on the environment on a daily basis.
Measures have been in place for years to protect Austria's alpine regions, yet some
forest degradation has taken place due to air and soil pollution caused by emissions from
industrial plants, exhaust fumes and the use of agricultural chemicals.
The good news is that Austrians are, by and large, a green and nature-loving lot. Re-
cently, everyone from top hoteliers in St Anton to farmers in Salzburgerland has been pol-
ishing their eco credentials by promoting recycling and solar power, clean energy and pub-
lic transport.
The government has moved to minimise pollutants by banning leaded petrol, assisting
businesses in waste avoidance and encouraging renewable energy, such as wind and solar
power. Some buses are gas powered and environmentally friendly trams are a feature of
many cities.
Melting ice is a hot topic in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The Pasterze Glacier has shrunk to half its
size over the past 150 years and is predicted to disappear entirely within 100 years.
Global Warming
With global warming a sad reality, 'snow-sure' is becoming more wishful thinking in re-
sorts at lower elevations in the Austrian Alps. Every year, the snowline seems to edge
slightly higher and snow-making machines are constantly on standby.
A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on climate change warned
that rising temperatures could mean that 75% of alpine glaciers will disappear within the
next 45 years, and that dozens of low-lying ski resorts such as Kitzbühel (762m) will be
completely cut off from their slopes by 2030. Forecasts suggest that the snowline will shift
from 1200m to 1800m by 2100. As well as the impact on Austria's tourist industry, the
melting snow is sure to have other knock-on effects, including erosion, floods and an in-
creased risk of avalanches.
