Make reducing food waste a priority in 2016

[TO GO WITH PICTURE]

Let’s make reducing food waste a priority

Food waste is considered to be responsible for a major waste of resources, such as labour, energy and water. I think it is high time we raise awareness about reducing waste. The causes of food waste are numerous, and occur at the stages of production, processing, retailing and consumption. Most of this waste comes from places like supermarkets, restaurants and bakeries, because people want to consume fresh food and the owners are not sure how much quantity they require to be sold. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that supermarkets in the US toss out $15 billion (Dh55.1 billion) worth of unsold fruits and vegetables alone each year. In restaurants, a lot of food is prepared in bulk and remains unsold.

This picture illustrates the issue. It was taken in the Abu Shagara area of Sharjah at a demolished building site. The majority of domestic food waste is disposed for various reasons – either we’ve bought more than we can use, or we’ve made more than we can eat. Of course, it’s easy to cite many practical ways to avoid these eventualities – such as only buying what you need, measuring your portions or sizes properly and freezing any leftovers.

We can throw away food in a minute but it takes months and years to grow the food we eat. Think before you throw food away. A good New Year resolution for 2016 could be to contribute to reducing food loss.

From Mr Aaron Fernandes

UAE

On the path to peace

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Pakistan after 10 years will definitely boost bilateral relations between the two countries (“Modi’s Lahore visit: ‘Closest to a Christmas miracle’”, Gulf News, December 28). The peace process should continue and must not allow terrorism to take root in the region. The previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in India did set the ball rolling, but the successive United Progressive Alliance (UPA) did not think it fit to have bilateral relationships with its neighbour. Sad, but true!

Modi’s meet-and-greet with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was a brilliant gesture, and Sharif matched it by being with him during his entire visit. Kudos to both. Let this visit begin a new era in their relationship. It will help Pakistan and India in their path towards growth, stability and sustainability. Let us not brush it aside as mere theatrics.

The two countries are kept apart by endless issues and controversies, which the public is least bothered about. Let us keep religion and political differences apart. Enough lives have been lost on both sides, either in the name of terrorism or during wars. Now, both countries should march ahead for peace.

It is not that this single visit has settled all matters between the two countries. The disputes are long and complex and a single 90-minute visit from Modi will not settle it once and for all. But, if this is the beginning of a peace process and a confidence-building measure, then it has achieved its purpose. Now, it is for the bureaucrats and the foreign and military office to sit down, talk out matters and come to a settlement.

From Mr Eappen Elias

Dubai

A temporary adjustment

Saudia Arabia has posted a record budget deficit of $97.9 billion (Dh359.6 billion) for the year 2015 (“Gulf markets may react positively to Saudi budget”, Gulf News, December 29). Therefore, it has decided to cut a range of subsidies for water, electricity, diesel and kerosene. It will have a tremendous effect on expatriates’ life, because they will find it difficult to make both ends meet. It is only a temporary adjustment and Saudi Arabia will gradually revise the subsidies, as it seeks to curb spending, according to a statement on the country’s Finance Ministry website. It may also privatise some government entities over five years.

From Mr Sunny Joseph Mala

Kerala, India

Worrying news

This is a worrying concern for the Saudi government and its citizens. The country was at one point, amongst the largest producers of crude oil and petroleum in the world, and is now facing a deficit worth billions. This is clearly indicative of slow times for the economy and job market, not just in the country, but the entire Gulf region.

From Ms Fatima Suhail

Dubai

Facebook comment

Open access

India is not allowing free internet services (“Zuckerberg makes personal appeal for free internet in India”, Gulf News, December 29)? In that case, I support Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s appeal. The internet should be free, accessible anytime and anywhere. Through his Free Basics initiative, social networks like Facebook and Messenger apps would be accessible without the need for a data plan. Zuckerberg wants websites to be free, accessible and convenient, but giant companies are taking advantage of this demand.

From Ms Aira Camille Hermosura

UAE

Facebook comment

Clarifying Free Basics

That’s not entirely correct, Ms Aira Camille Hermosura. The concept is not ‘free internet’. It’s free internet for websites that partner with Facebook, which basically means charges for the rest. This affects net neutrality indirectly. For instance, if an anti-government newspaper in India gains free access, then it affects public policy in the long term. Zuckerberg doesn’t want all internet websites to get free access. He is the one leading big companies, as his company owns the infrastructure for this tool. If big companies are taking advantage of demand and it’s against his wishes, then why is he promoting it in its current state? There is nothing for free. He is providing free internet to cut out competition and promote his own plans.

From Mr Syed Shams

India

Facebook comment

Skewed policy

I think the idea is to give some sites free access so that indirectly, they can cut off competition from any upcoming start-ups. This would make sure Facebook or any of Zuckerberg’s other products would not face the fate of now extinct social networks like Orkut. Basically, he wants to decide which sites India’s internet users should access for free! What a wonderful world it is.

From Mr Leo M. Joseph

UAE

Facebook comment

Self-serving plan

If Zuckerberg has his way with the implementation of Free Basics in India, it will be a divisive move. I like the fact that he wants to use drones, satellites and lasers to deliver internet technology to under-served areas, but why is there a limit on which websites people are able to visit? If Zuckerberg makes it clear that this is just phase one of his plan, leading to access to all websites in the future, more people would be open to the initiative. But as it is now, I don’t see Indians accepting his proposal.

From Mr Afsar Ali

Sharjah

Won’t be fooled

Does Zuckerberg think we Indians are fools? If he really wants to do something good in India, please stop such types of campaigns. We want to save the internet, so we don’t want Internet.org. I would tell Zuckerberg – please let us move forward with our existing freedom… real digital freedom.

From Mr Mufseer Champad

Dubai

Facebook comment

Deserves award

Kudos to legendary 1983 World Cup Golden Gloves winner Syed Kirmani, who has been unanimously nominated for the C. K. Nayadu Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2015, by the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI). He is the best wicket keeper-batsman India has had so far and he richly deserves this Award, though it was late by a decade! Incidentally, I feel the Award prize money should be increased, as Rs25 lakh (approximately Dh139, 000) is far too little.

From Ms Janaki Mahadevan

Chennai, India

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