Reading in the news - Wed 28 Jul

Climate Summit:  in an open letter, Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor and other heads of leading climate and education institutions, call for action to boost the UK's education on climate change, as the University launches plans for a Climate Education Summit on September 15.

Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) spoke to Sky News’ Daily Climate Show about flooding around Europe and the need for improved climate change education.

Read the full text of the letter, and read our news story about calls for improved climate education.

#PlanetPartners: Reading’s global work for a sustainable future

• Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) is quoted in The Times on cities being at risk of flooding. 
• Dr Linda Speight (Geography/Environmental Science) is quoted in BBC News and Counter Currents on changes in urban areas to prevent flooding hazards. 
• Professor Rowan Sutton (Atmospheric Science) is quoted in BD News 24, AOL and Entorno Inteligente on the long-term effects of cutting greenhouse emissions. 
• Dr Liz Stephens (Geography) is quoted in The Limited Times about infrastructures at risk during the floods. 
• The Teller Report quotes Dr Jess Neumann (Geography and Environmental Science) on the floods in Europe.
• PhD researcher Chloe Brimicombe (Meteorology) is quoted in Staffordshire Live on heatwave warnings in Southern England. 
• Dr Rob Thompson (Meteorology) is quoted in Teesside Live on UK heat waves. 

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted in a Daily Mail article about hospitalisation of COVID cases; and The Sun on the effect of the Euros on COVID infection rates. Dr Clarke spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about UK case numbers, and his comments ran on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4; to LBC, GB News three times (no link), and previously on BBC R5 Live.
• Medical Xpress report on new research led by Prof Jon Gibbins (Biological Sciences) about how Covid-19 can lead to dangerous blood clotting. Read our news story about the research.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) is quoted in Reuters fact-checking chemicals in COVID nasal swabs.

Other Coverage:

• Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Parveen Yaqoob spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about encouraging students to get vaccinated before the return to in-person lectures. 
• Dr David Rose (Agriculture) is quoted in The Independent on the environmental effects of dairy. 
• Berkshire Live reports on buying student houses in Reading. 
• Professor Ian Givens (Food) is quoted with views on improving the promotion of nutritional benefits of dairy products in The Daily Hunt. 
• The Reading Chronicle reports on the best student housing areas for UoR students.  
• Natural News further covers Reading research (Meteorology) into the use of drones to deliver electrical charge into clouds to encourage rainfall in the Middle East. Read our news story on a recent visit to the University by the United Arab Emirate Ambassador to the UK to see the research.
• Professor Alberto Carrassi (Meteorology) is a confirmed speaker at an Imperial workshop in September.