By Dominique Thomas, Alliance Intern from University of Alabama at Birmingham ‘24
Mother Nature has given us so many things to appreciate. Beaches and their sand, mountains and their snow, and all the worlds, lives and ecosystems in between. While it is impossible to rank each of these things by beauty or importance, there is one thing they all have in common — a natural, comforting symphony of sound for all to appreciate. On July 18th, World Listening Day, we take the time to celebrate the music of the outdoors in all its glory.
Developed by the World Listening Project, with help from the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology, World Listening Day officially debuted in 2010 with a goal to “raise awareness about the significance of listening as a cultural practice” and to encourage “sonic stewardship of the environment.” Since its debut, the holiday has connected enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate nature and its soundscapes.
The Interrelation of Humanity and Nature
World Listening Day has a different theme each year. This year’s theme, Listening to the Weave of Time, poses a unique way to interact with nature and encourages observers to connect with nature through the waves, harmonies and frequencies of the outdoors, to not just listen but to truly contemplate its structure and changes throughout time. The theme brings an important concept to light, the interconnectedness of humanity and nature and how these two seemingly separate worlds weave together to create each and every experience we all have.
When looking into this interconnectedness, the understanding of acoustic ecology becomes especially important. Acoustic ecology is the study of the relationship between human beings and their environment – especially in regards to sound.
Studying this relationship has become even more important as noise pollution has become increasingly more dangerous for humans and wildlife alike, impacting the ecosystem from caterpillars and blue birds all the way to whales and dolphins, shares National Geographic.
I believe the relationship that acoustic ecology explores is as important to understand when growing a love for nature as it is when learning more about humankind. You see, without our connection to nature, the joys and sorrows and wins and struggles of humans are not possible. Even the laugh of a child or the cries of a widow stem from the deep connections our ancestors had with the earth. Despite the disconnection many feel in our modern-day world, these relationships are not lost and holidays like World Listening Day remind us of this.
World Listening Day and Beyond
The WLP website is full of resources, like this list of ways to celebrate, which has options for everyone. Whether you have hiking trails in your backyard or call a concrete jungle home, there is something for you. Some of the simplest ways to celebrate include soundwalks, listening meditation, online listening exchanges – which give you the opportunity to hear nature from across the world. On the other hand listening parties, sound mapping, acoustic ecology workshops and forest bathing are more complex options for those that seek a deeper experience.
No matter how you celebrate, everyone is encouraged to experience nature, on July 18th and all other days, with an active and purposeful presence. We at the Alliance wish you a wonderful World Listening Day and would love to hear what you do to celebrate at info@afors.org.