Expert Comment

Astronomers have announced the detection of the gas phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus, a gas generally produced by microbes in oxygen-free environments, suggesting that there could be life in the planet's atmosphere. The idea that Venus could host life is not as bizarre as it sounds says Dr Tom Louden from the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick.

Members of the public have given their ideas for policies and action to help combat climate change in a report from the UK’s first Climate Assembly. Dr Jonathan Clarke of the Global Sustainable Development programme at the University of Warwick sees great potential in citizens assemblies in efforts to drive climate action.

With President Donald Trump and presidential candidate Joe Biden on the campaign trail for the Republicans and Democrats respectively, recent comments from both candidates have addressed the Black Lives Matter protests and police violence. Dr Georg Löfflmann of the Department of Politics and International Studies comments.

As media report that the UK is experiencing the start of a heatwave this weekend, Dr Raquel Nunes, senior research fellow at Warwick Medical School, comments that efforts to support vulnerable people during extreme heat, particularly with the current coronavirus restrictions, should focus on those who lack independence or have pre-existing health issues.

As the Bank of England reports that the downturn in the UK economy is less severe than expected, but is likely to take longer to recover, Professor Abhinay Muthoo of the Department of Economics comments that this is positive news, but it still leaves a lot of room for uncertainty.