Are you Polluting with Noise?

When talking about pollution, we typically think about greenhouse gases and our carbon footprint. Did you know, however, that small businesses, as well as individuals and, of course, larger corporations, could be pollution in another way – with noise?

Early this month, experts reported that low frequency underwater noise has doubled over the past ten years, and blue whales alone have 90% less communication range and ability. The noise is also damaging tissue in some animals and scaring others, causing them to dive erratically.

Ships and oil drill sites are the main contributor to noise in the ocean, but studies also show that rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are also tampering with audio abilities underwater. Carbon dioxide is causing the water’s acidity to rise, which makes the water less able to absorb noise, which , in turn, creates a lot of “background noise” for animals.

So what can you do?

First, find out how your products and materials are being shipped. When possible, buy and sell in the United States and Canada, and look into green shipping options as much as possible.

You can also write to your legislators, asking them to support tighter laws on ship engines and sonar testing by the Navy. Write as a business owner, as this sometimes carries more clout for some (not all) elected officials who support causes based on future votes and contributions to there campaign.

Other than that, keep doing what you’re doing. In other words, reduce your carbon footprint and take steps to go as green as possible with your products. And remember, although this stupid deals with noise in the ocean, noise on land can be just as polluting when you consider animals like bats and wolves, who rely on sound to hunt or communicate with one another.

So keep it down already!

Picture from sxc.hu.