At war with noise
In the Epic of Gilgamesh , the gods call for a flood to drown out the incessant noise made by humankind . More recently , a journalist from The Atlantic reported on the surprisingly high number of murders linked to noise pollution . Noise has always been the talk of the town - and the world has never been noisier .
As the world ' s population grows , so too does the volume of transportation , housing , and resources it requires . In the middle of American national parks , the echo of talkative walkers breaks the silence - even the Amazon is disturbed by the deep buzz of chainsaws . Alongside the cacophony of everyday life , a plethora of more subtle sounds – many of them previously nonexistent - cause us even more suffering : the incessant hum of motors , fans , computer equipment ...
As early as 1972 , the American Environmental Protection Agency inaugurated its Office of Noise Abatement and Control . In 2002 , the European Union approved the Environmental Noise Directive , and in 2014 , the European Environment Agency recommended that quiet locations should be officially recognised and protected . While we tend to treat noise as a minor nuisance , scientific research shows that it can have a serious impact on the health of both humans and ecosystems . The fight against noise pollution is not just a whim of the developed world , but a public health issue .
In search of silence
Silence , in itself , does not truly exist . The “ search for silence ” is really a search for physical or virtual spaces free of noise pollution . Consider the omnipresence of nature sounds in spas , on meditation apps or YouTube channels dedicated to well-being . Spending time in nature reduces stress and helps cure anxiety and depression : today , a number of organisations are taking action to promote and preserve the last bastions of tranquillity .
One such organisation is Quiet Parks International , an NGO that identifies places where you can listen to the calm sounds of nature , without any noise pollution . To protect these places and ensure their sustainability , the association works with local communities to develop sound tourism experiences . At Zabalo River in the heart of the Ecuadorian forest , the NGO has certified the world ’ s first Quiet Park . In France , the “ Marches Sonores ” in the Millevaches regional nature park invites hikers to a sound experience centred around the theme of water . In the Haut Jura , a circuit with some sixty hearing and echo points has been established … However , should we really consider all other noise to be pollution ?
Sound experiences are multiplying around the world ...
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