Story

Noise is defined as unwanted and harmful sound. While no place can be quiet all the time, we should all be able to have a good night’s sleep, relax at home during the day, and hear the birds in the trees.

Unfortunately, noise is not very well-monitored or controlled in the City of Toronto. But we’re starting to change that. Through our own weeklong measurements and crowdsourced figures, we are using data to change the conversation.

Why Care About Noise?

Noise is a climate issue.
Drivers who illegally modify their vehicles reduce or eliminate federally mandated emissions controls. The noise these modifications create drives us out of our backyards and balconies and forces us to close our windows at night and turn on air-conditioning or fans.

Noise is an equity issue.
Certain city residents are exposed to higher levels of traffic noise and burdened with the highest levels of health impacts. Residents on lower incomes are often forced to live on busy streets and closer to industrial areas. Additionally, auditory cues for the visually impaired are muffled when navigating through our noisy cities.  And people who have had brain injuries are more susceptible to noise. Ultimately, noise creates additional barriers for many.

None of us have a defense against noise.
We can’t close our ears and our bodies can’t stop listening.

Please make a tax-deductible donation to help us amplify the message for a better sounding Toronto and to build healthier, happier and greener cities across Canada.

In partnership with No More Noise Toronto.