Listening to Communities and Environments

Abstract

Biosphere Soundscapes is a large-scale interdisciplinary project working with local communities to explore the value of acoustic ecology in understanding rapidly changing environments. The project is delivered through immersive residencies with artists and scientists, research laboratories, and a diversity of creative projects spanning four continents in UNESCO biosphere reserves. Biosphere Soundscapes is grounded in the critical importance of community engagement in climate change mitigation and adaptation. This project explores the possibilities of emerging mobile technologies in environmental awareness and examines the importance of listening to communities and environments. In this article, I outline a series of projects that informed the development of Biosphere Soundscapes and reflects on the influence of Sonic Ecologies, an acoustic ecology framework that focuses on community engagement.