Noise, Blazes and Mismatches: Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern (2022)
The 2022 edition of the UN Environment Programme’s Frontiers report highlights three issues. Urban noise pollution is one of them.
Noise pollution is addressed in the chapter “Listening to Cities: From Noisy Environments to Positive Soundscapes.” Noise has long-term physical and mental health effects. The chapter suggests measures that can be implemented to create positive and restorative soundscapes in urban areas.
As cities grow, noise pollution is identified as a top environmental risk. High levels of noise impair human health and well-being – by disrupting sleep or drowning out the beneficial and positive acoustic communications of many animal species that live in these areas. But solutions are at hand, from electrified transport to green spaces – which must all be included in city planning with a view to reducing noise pollution.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director – United Nations Environment Programme
Report by:
Listening to Cities Chapter Author:
- Francesco Aletta, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, London, United Kingdom