The Current

Nature soundscapes reveal environmental devastation

By documenting change over time in particular areas, Bernie Krause's nature soundscapes offer insight into the effects of climate change, the California drought and other environmental problems.
Sound ecologist Bernie Krause captured the changing environment of Fiji's coral reef using an underwater microphone. (jill ee/Flikr cc)

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Bernie Krause has dedicated his life to recording the sounds of the natural world. He is a soundscape ecologist, and the author of several books including Voices of the Wild: Animal Songs, Human Din, and the Call to Save Natural Soundscapes.

By documenting change over time in particular areas, Krause's nature soundscapes offer surprising insights into the effects of climate change, the California drought and other environmental problems.  

I've got  5,000 hours and over 15,000 creatures [ . . . ] half of what I have is gone.-Bernie Krause, on documenting changing environments

Krause speaks with The Current about his work, and what he's learned from over 50 years of recording nature. 

How noisy the world is with human endeavour; how important it is to quiet it down and listen to the sounds around us. It's the sound of life.-Bernie Krause, soundscape ecologist
  • Bernie Krause, soundscape ecologist and author. 


This segment was produced by The Current's Julian Uzielli.