Understanding the Impact of Bats, Newts, and Heathrow’s Third Runway: What You Need to Know

In 2025, I’ll mark 40 years in ecology and conservation. But honestly, it doesn’t feel like a time to celebrate. Recent news—like the plan for a third runway at Heathrow and the easing of environmental protections—leaves me questioning the value of my work. It feels like the dedication of so many years has been forgotten.

Why do these announcements matter? To many outside our field, they might not seem significant. But these decisions reflect a deeper issue. I expected more from a Labour government after the years of turmoil under the Tories. With Brexit and constant culture wars, I hoped for a shift back to responsible leadership. It felt like we might finally see progress.

Brexit affected me deeply. I was frustrated and heartbroken. I marched, wrote letters, and joined movements, but nothing changed. At times, I even blamed myself, wondering if there was more I could have done to prevent it. Lying awake last night, I found myself in tears again. Beneath my anger, I felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal.

My trust in the government has dwindled, and it wasn’t strong to begin with. I didn’t blindly follow one party, but I hoped Labour would work steadily to improve our situation, particularly regarding environmental protection. I know rejoining the EU is complex, but I expected at least to maintain high standards for nature. Perhaps I was too optimistic.

Recently, the government’s choices and the consequences of Brexit show that we are facing a deeper problem. If we were still in the EU, our economy might be in a better state. In a way, it’s hard not to see this as a result of Tory policies.

The reality is concerning. The third runway at Heathrow and other unchecked developments will increase emissions. Net-zero targets won’t magically fix our climate and biodiversity issues. Planting trees won’t offset the damage. Nature isn’t the barrier to development; that idea is a misconception.

Some projects, like the £100 million ‘bat shed’, may seem silly, and most ecologists agree. Protecting bats is crucial, but there are more sensible ways to go about it.

What I’m experiencing now feels like grief—a profound loss of hope for the environment that I’ve dedicated my life to. I chose not to have children, which makes my burden feel lighter compared to my colleagues who do have kids. I can’t imagine their worries for the future.

This situation isn’t just political or economic. If we look at these announcements, along with other recent decisions, we see a troubling trend that threatens our existence. The relentless chase for growth could endanger the future of our planet.

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