Save our bats: wind turbines need proper research and adaption

Hundreds of bats are being killed by UK wind turbines each month. Experts say that better assessments, and alterations to the construction of turbines, could solve the problem. Please sign this petition to demand that the Department of Energy, Business and Industrial Strategy implement ongoing assesments of wind turbine projects, and adapt turbines to make them safer for bats. 

Bats are protected by UK law. Ecological assesments prior to constructing new turbines are supposed to ensure their safety. However, these assessments are currently proving to be ineffective. Research has found that worrying numbers of bats are being killed by turbines. “That is something that really needs urgent attention,” said Dr Mathews, who headed the research.

“At the moment tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds are paid on [sic] infrastructure projects all the time to do ecological surveys with nobody actually doing any follow-ups to see whether they’re effective or not.”

The authors say that in addition to assessments being carried out after windfarms have been built, design alterations such as blades that turn into a safe position during peak flying time for bats would help reduce deaths.

Wind turbines are an important part of adapting our energy sources and protecting our environment, and the authors suppport their continued use. But this doesn't need to be at the expense of our bat populations.

Please sign this petition to demand that our UK bat population is protected from wind turbines through proper, ongoing assessments and better contruction of the turbines. Together we can stand up for our beloved bats and make it clear that clean energy can also be wildlife-friendly.