Opinions | Letters
June 04, 2008
Letters to the Editor - June 04, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:11 June 4, 2008
Gulf News's Go Green campaign has received an open response from its readers. Some have decided to become active participants by adopting best practices while many have acknowledged the need for more awareness.
A few have attacked the newspaper as being a contributor to environmental damage with its commercial practices. The newspaper accepts responsibility for the impact and explains how it incorporates safer practices in its printing process.
But, most importantly we need to understand that there is no commerce, trade or industry, which does not cause harm. The first step is realisation and then strive to find solutions. Read more about the newspaper's stand in the open letter from the Editor-in-Chief on www.gulfnews.com/gogreen
An effort worthy of applause
Gulf News's new campaign deserves applause ("Go Green: Wadis under threat", June 1). It has become difficult to bid goodbye to plastic products, but in the task of protecting the environment and creating a greener lifestyle, this step is a must.
Plants and animals are at risk today because of the extensive damage done by humans.
Apart from the initiative taken by Gulf News, perhaps the authorities should launch a parallel campaign to make people aware of the harmful effects of using plastic products.
Additionally, it is equally important to identify a suitable replacement product that does not make any negative environmental impact.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Join in
Both the private and public sector must pitch in. Supermarkets can offer customers 0.2 per cent for reusing plastic bags, homes should use less air conditioning and more plants should be kept in homes.
High registration fees should be imposed on heavy emission vehicles and zero per cent duty on hybrid vehicles.
From Mr Sanjay
Sharjah
Special appreciation
As a high school student, I cannot claim to read Gulf News regularly, but I believe it to be the best, as it ensures that news is presented in an interesting and informative manner.
Special appreciation must be given to the Go Green initiative, which will certainly create awareness among residents about the hazardous effects of using plastic.
For instance, some pupils are now avoiding drinking water from plastic bottles because they are becoming more conscious about its consequences.
I never imagined plastic to be such a stealthy killer, as it has become an omnipresent commodity.
However, reducing its presence in the environment will help us become more responsible members of society.
From Ms Kaveri Manoharan
UAE
Separating garbage
Separation of garbage is long due in the UAE. All the garbage dumpsters we see on the roadside should be in five sections such as paper, glass, metal, organic and plastic, like many other developed countries.
This should be followed by recycling or exporting to the countries where recycling takes place. In this manner, individuals would contribute.
From Mr Kausar
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
More initiatives
Even if it is too late, I am happy to see that people are becoming aware of the issue. For a small country, the average plastic usage in the UAE is high.
There should be lots of awareness programmes on the harm plastic can cause.
The number of plastic disposable glasses coming out of restaurants each day itself is enough to realise the level of people's ignorance of the issue.
If you just think for a while, you can give hundreds of examples like this. I hope other media also follows the right steps taken by Gulf News in this regard.
From Ms Soy
Dubai
Need support
This great movement towards greenery will be effective if there are clear and comprehensive waste management and recycling mechanisms.
So we need the government's support to help us to be the effective beginners. Normally you may not find any garbage separation systems, so people get frustrated.
From Mr Ali
Dubai
Free jute bags
This is an impressive campaign with thought-provoking ideas. Why not let the public get free jute bags, as very few would opt to turn green by paying for it?
In a time when one works hard to save every fil, a 'green life with a bill' would be hurting and hard to follow.
From Ms Tina
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Green Earth
When food comes directly in contact with plastic it is not safe to eat, so we should shift to paper bags or cloth bags.
Make the Earth green with plants, not with green plastic bottles and bags.
From Ms Menu
Chandigarh, India
Full name withheld by request
What about the bags?
Gulf News's campaign article was good but as the question goes (which no one seems to be answering): What do we do with the existing plastic bags that we have with us?
From Mr Hanoz
Sharjah
Some ideas
We need to turn the clock back to search for greener alternatives.
How about milk and fruit juices dispensed in recyclable glass bottles? Or how about returning plastic bags to supermarkets for reuse? Or distributing jute bags to the public for free!
From Mr Ivan
Dubai
Let's join the effort
We applaud Gulf News's effort towards building awareness and expanding the campaign. Clearly, there has to be a shift in mindset, in habits and in attitudes.
Small things can make a huge difference. Start with packaging. Why do we want fruits and vegetables pre-packed for us in plastic trays? Why do we want our laundry delivered to us in sheets of plastic? Why do we get our takeaway food in plastic cups/boxes/bowls?
How can each of us make a difference? Let us all join hands and make this campaign a huge success. UAE has shown in many ways that it can lead the way.
From Ms Madhu
Dubai
Work on a solution
We can't avoid plastics in our life at all times. Research should be done to develop environmentally friendly plastic that can decompose easily.
Every government sector should think of what we take from Nature.
From Mr Haja
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Ironical!
Gulf News's "Go Green" is a great initiative. But the irony is that when I bought the newspaper, recently, it was wrapped in plastic.
I know that it is the demands of advertising that does this. However, I request Gulf News to make immediate amendments and not waste the campaign's great initiative.
We can eliminate the use of plastic only if we wish to. I have seen people quarrelling with shopkeepers for not providing more plastic bags, to keep for use in the future.
Man and his habits don't change easily. Authorities have to ban dangerous plastics, shut down factories that manufacture the same and impose restrictions on import of different plastic items.
From Mr Santhosh Thomas
Dubai
Share this article
Popular in Opinions
-
Opinions
Speak Your Mind: Cyberbullying
How can we protect our children from being Cyber bullied?
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Turkey is thinking creatively
Ankara is seeking peace and reconciliation in the Middle East, but has not turned its back on the West
-
Abdullah may see crisis on horizon
Could it be that the king of Jordan dissolved parliament because he believes a regional war might be in the offing?
-
More action needed to nab murderers
Those guilty of involvement in Philippines massacre deserve the most severe penalty
