Short Wave Nature Quest: What Does Climate Change Sound Like?
Aug 26, 2025
Drew Hawkins, a public health reporter from the Gulf States Newsroom, dives into the unique intersection of climate change and music, particularly in New Orleans. He discusses how rising temperatures are impacting local musicians and their performances. Drew presents a fascinating method called sonification, turning climate data into soundscapes to better illustrate temperature trends. He even collaborates with a brass band to creatively translate this data into music, making the vital topic of climate change both relatable and engaging.
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New Orleans Music As Living Culture
- Drew Hawkins describes New Orleans musical culture and introduces musician Danovan Calhoun Bettis as a local example.
- Bettis embodies the city's music traditions from marching band to brass parades and leads a local brass band.
Measured Warming Affects Daily Life
- Drew Hawkins notes New Orleans' average annual temperatures rose about three or four degrees over the past century.
- He links that measured warming to real impacts on city life and musicians.
Heat Is The Overlooked Deadly Weather
- Jen Brady and the hosts emphasize that heat is the number one weather killer in the U.S. and often overlooked.
- They argue that heat's hidden toll deserves more public attention than flashy events like hurricanes.