You Don't Want To Hear This

The world is literally getting quieter - and not in a good way. Since 1970, we've lost nearly 70% of Earth's wildlife populations, and with them, the natural symphony that once filled our planet.

That's such a striking way to think about extinction - not just in terms of numbers, but in terms of silence. And this story about sound recordist Martyn Stewart really brings that home.

You know what fascinates me? He started recording nature's sounds when he was just 11 years old, back when the world had only 3.5 billion people. The recordings from those early days capture something we can barely imagine now - nightingales filling English evenings, wolves howling under Alaskan moons.

And now when he returns to those same locations, what used to take minutes to record can take days. It's like nature's orchestra is missing most of its musicians.

The statistics are pretty devastating. Beyond that 69% decline in wildlife, we've lost up to 75% of insects in some areas. Most people don't think about insects, but they're literally the baseline rhythm section of nature's symphony.

That makes me wonder - what exactly replaced all those natural sounds?

Well, Stewart describes it perfectly - the constant drone of traffic, the whine of development, aircraft noise slicing through skies that used to carry nothing but bird calls. We're basically drowning out nature's voice with our own noise.

The part about recording the last Kauai oo bird is heartbreaking. Imagine being there, knowing you're documenting the final notes of a species that will never sing again.

And here's what's crucial to understand - these aren't just beautiful sounds we're losing. They're vital communication networks. Birds warning about predators, frogs indicating clean water, forests sharing information about danger through sound. When we lose these voices, we're breaking down entire ecological communication systems.

That reminds me of research showing how noise pollution affects everything from bird breeding patterns to plant pollination. It's all connected.

Exactly! And Stewart makes this brilliant point about how silence in nature isn't peaceful - it's actually a warning sign. It's like walking into a usually bustling city and finding it completely empty. Something's very wrong.

The way he describes wetlands really struck me - they've been halved globally. That's not just habitat loss, it's the disappearance of entire acoustic environments.

You know what's fascinating about wetlands? They have unique acoustic properties that help animals communicate more effectively. When we drain them, we're not just destroying habitat - we're literally changing how sound travels through the landscape.

That's such an interesting perspective - thinking about ecosystems in terms of their acoustic space.

And in healthy ecosystems, different species evolve to communicate in different frequency ranges - like nature's version of radio channels. When we lose species, we're not just losing individual voices, we're disrupting this incredibly complex network.

So what hope does Stewart offer? Because this all sounds pretty bleak.

Well, he's seen firsthand how resilient nature can be. Give an ecosystem space and protection, and the sounds can return. Species can rebound. But he's clear that time is running out - we need to act while there are still enough voices left to rebuild these natural choruses.



www.thelisteningplanet.com

The State of the Planet

🌿 TUNE IN! 🌿
I’m joining the brilliant @cerysmatthews tomorrow on BBC Radio 6 Music for a special episode of her Sunday morning show.

🎧 We’ll be diving into the sounds of the natural world, stories from the field, and the beauty that lies in listening deeply.
🦉 With fellow guest @sophiepavs, we explore why nature’s voice matters now more than ever.

🗓 Broadcast: 18 May 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM (UK time)
📻 BBC Radio 6 Music
🎙 Episode: “Naturally Beautiful”

Grateful to share space with Cerys and Sophie to talk about soundscapes, science, and the soul of the wild.

#MartynStewart #CerysMatthews #BBC6Music #NatureSounds #Soundscapes #WildlifeRecording #SophiePavelle #RadioInterview #NatureMatters #EcologyInSound #NaturallyBeautiful #FieldRecording #BBC See less

20250518T BBC_radio 6 Cerys Mathews with Martyn Stewart

I go through the steps like I’m supposed to
Say the right thing smile at the right time
It looked like it could be the real thing
and maybe feels like it too

It's always a fleeting feeling
I’m chasing nothing of meaning
I put all my chips in
but even if i don't win
what am i losing?

I know it doesn't really matter
it will all pass and fade with time

It's always a fleeting feeling
I’m chasing nothing of meaning
I put all my chips in
but even if I don't win
what am i losing?

Yung Scammer

Embedded (pitched down)

wtfrick is a de-esser......................................???



lyrics:
oh the time all the time
so carelessly embedded into mine
oh the time all the time
so carelessly embedded into mine

i crawl up flights of stairs
to see the space you said was there

spent months pressurised like a can
only to be told i'm the only one who can't

i'm not asking you to hold my hand
just need a little time and patience
if you can

you say you're a godly man
but patience is a virtue
and i've got so much here to do
so please don't make me choose

it's all the time it's all the time
so carelessly embedded into mine
and all the time all the time
i'm sad here wishing you were by my side

why can't you be man? just be a man
say it say it say it if you can
i'm not going to let myself feel bad
for things you start and then left unsaid

You Don't Want To Hear This

Tim Kahn

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