Climate Changes and Scent Heritage: The Urgent Need for Capturing and Preserving Olfactory Landscapes in a Changing World

As the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, not only are physical landscapes undergoing drastic changes, but olfactory landscapes - the scents that are part of our cultural heritage - are also at risk. Scents, whether they are associated with natural environments, rituals or social customs, serve as powerful triggers for emotional and evocative memories. These olfactory experiences are crucial in defining our shared history and collective identity.
This project underscores the need to urgently address the climate-related vulnerabilities of our olfactory heritage. Using interdisciplinary methods spanning neuroscience, cultural studies and cutting-edge technology, we aim to create a robust framework for capturing, digitizing and preserving these endangered scents.
The project will provide tools that will allow us to not only document these scents, but also reproduce them, much like we do with visual and auditory heritage. By focusing on the threats to our olfactory landscapes posed by climate change, this project serves as a flagship initiative for holistic preservation, ensuring that future generations have access to this often overlooked but invaluable facet of human heritage.