Dear Elizabeth
Protected bat species have been identified right next to a fracking site in Ryedale, Yorkshire. And ecologists have recommended that work must not go ahead at the site until a full investigation has been carried out [1].
But fracking company Third Energy plans to start operations next week – despite knowing bats are nearby. This is urgent. Can you take a minute to raise the alarm?
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Ryedale is even home to Britain’s rarest bat of all – the tiny alcathoe bat.
But despite this, fracking was given the go-ahead without a fully comprehensive bat survey being carried out. In fact planners were originally told that there are no bats at the fracking site at all – something the fracking company’s own surveys have since shown to be wrong.
If fracking begins it’ll bring bright lights, noise, machines and increased traffic to this quiet corner of the countryside. Without a proper investigation how can anyone be sure what the impact could be on these protected species?
Friends of the Earth supporters and local community groups have a fantastic track record of delaying and stopping fracking – none has gone ahead in the UK for over 6 years. So we know have a real chance of putting the brakes on fracking in Ryedale.
And if thousands of us make a noise about the plight of Ryedale’s protected bats, we’ll have a better chance than ever.
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Of course this story is bigger than Ryedale’s little winged residents. With violent storms raging across the globe it’s clearer than ever that we need to tackle climate change head on – and stop extracting fossil fuels from the ground.
So from the smallest creatures to the biggest challenge facing the planet, this action matters.
Thank you, and good luck.
Anna & the fracking team
PS. The laws about data protection are changing next year. If you want to keep receiving our emails please make sure you tick the box at the bottom of the petition. Just like this:
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NOTES:
[1] JBA Consulting: KM8 Review of Bat Survey Methodology and Mitigation.
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