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Austria’s first ‘organic village’ wins award

The village of Seeham in the state of Salzburg has won an award for Austria’s most environmentally friendly place to live in a climate protection competition by state broadcaster ORF.

Published: 10 November 2015 10:40 CET

Austria's first 'organic village' wins award

Seeham in Salzburg.

Environment Minister Andrä Rupprechter (ÖVP) and ORF Director General Alexander Wrabetz awarded prizes in 16 categories to the best environmental projects from around Austria, out of 172 submissions. A total of almost 48,000 votes were cast from across the country.

Seeham, population 1,800, stood out because it relies entirely on sustainable businesses. Of the 40 farms in the surrounding area, 80 percent are certified organic.

The village also has its own organic grocery store, local cheesemaker, an organic chocolate producer and organic bed and breakfasts. Even its tourism is sustainable and green, including an adventure trail around Lake Obertrumer, an e-bike hire company, a bee nature walk, and farm holidays.

Environmental awareness starts early, with the village kindergarten and primary school relying solely on local, organic produce for the children’s snacks and lunches.

The community’s heating is fuelled by wood from local, sustainably managed forests.

Mayor Peter Altendorfer (ÖVP) said the award was “an important stage in our work for the environment and a great honour”.

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Where in Austria are pollen levels the highest?

Around 16 percent of the population in Austria suffer from allergies, according to a survey by the research institute IMAS. Pollen allergies are the most common type of allergy that people living in Austria suffer from, making it one of the most common illnesses in the country.

They are also the main causes of complaints and struggles for many during the spring and summer seasons.

The most common symptoms include an itchy nose, watery eyes, sneezing, or in severe cases, even breathing difficulties.

Where in Austria are pollen levels the highest?

In Austria, some areas are known for experiencing higher pollen levels, such as the eastern regions of the country, including Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland. These regions have many agricultural areas and large urban green spaces, which are home to a wide range of plants and vegetation.

Lowland areas with fertile soils, such as the Danube Valley and the flatlands of eastern Austria, support diverse plant life and can, therefore, be especially challenging places for allergy sufferers to visit.

It is also a good idea to avoid alpine valleys and meadows in the western parts of the country, where certain types of grasses and wildflowers can produce larger amounts of pollen.

You can check the pollen conditions in different regions of the country here.

Pollen allergies are very common in Austria. (Photo by Philippe HUGUEN / AFP)

Why do pollen allergies increase during spring and summer?

Pollen allergies tend to worsen during the spring and summer months due to various factors. The warmer and longer days during spring and summer create an ideal situation for plants to grow, bloom and and produce more pollen.

The warmer seasons also mark the peak of plant pollination when trees, weeds and grasses release large amounts of pollen into the air as part of their reproductive cycle. This pollen can easily spread long distances with the wind, creating a difficult situation for those who are allergic.

Due to climate change, the situation has gotten worse during the last couple of years. We experience higher temperatures all over the globe which increases the amount of pollen (and makes pollen season longer) in the air, and in turn is leading to a rise in pollen-related allergies such as hay fever.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

What can you do if you suffer from hay fever?

If you suffer from hay fever, you can treat the symptoms with oral or topical antihistamines, easily found at pharmacies. They are effective in improving symptoms such as itching and sneezing. Nasal decongestants are also effective and can prevent the start of symptoms.

Another effective method is to limit your exposure to pollen, even if this can be hard during warm and sunny days.

Here are some things that you can try to take into consideration:

– Avoid spending a lot of time outside on days when the pollen count is high.

– Try to not be outside between 5 am and 10 am and 7 pm to 10 pm when pollen levels are at their highest.

– Keep your windows closed at home and while driving in a car.

– Do not dry your clothes outside when the pollen counts are high, as grains can stick to your clothing.

– Take a shower when coming in after being outside.

READ NEXT: The subtle ways living abroad in Europe can affect healthcare costs

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