Staying grounded
I want to share the story of my father who has maintained his car in the UAE for the last 28 years. It is a Toyota Cressida and it’s mileage is 613,635 kilometres. He came to the UAE four decades ago and got his licence in 1985. The same year he decided to buy a 1980 model car for himself. Till today the car is in perfect shape and he often drives it from Ras Al Khaimah, where we reside, to Dubai. He practically considers his car as his fourth child, if you know what I mean. There have been a number of instances when my father had taken leave from work to fix the slightest issue, which his car might have had. He practically cleans it every day. Believe me, every time he drives to Dubai at least five people on the way are sure to ask him if he would like to sell his car. But he’s very attached to it. I find it fascinating that this is the first and the last car my father bought. My 65-year-old father, who works as a pharmacist, would like to send a message to all readers that we need to work hard and stay grounded, only then will we be appreciated one day.
From Mr Nevin Jacob Koshy
Ras Al Khaimah
Sharia does not ban freedom of speech
Why arrest them (“Saudis arrest 3 over YouTube appeals, activists say”, Gulf News, March 31)? Sharia does not ban freedom of speech, especially since they are only asking to be treated well by their government.
Ms Marwah
Dubai
Did it last?
What is more important is whether there was a difference the day after Earth Hour (‘Dubai saves 255,000kWh of energy during Earth Hour 2014,’ Gulf News, March 31)? Otherwise this is just a token gesture.
From Mr Stuart Watts
UAE
Invest in research
I was trying to see a difference but to me everything was the same during Earth Hour. I live in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) and the only difference I found was that the swimming pool lights were switched off.
All roads, buildings, offices, shopping malls and other places were lit as usual, even past closing hours. Saving 255,000kWh is not a lot. What difference will one hour of lights off make in the world?
A significant contribution would be, taking 50 per cent of the money earned from the electricity produced to invest in research for alternative energy production.
Until now there is only one developed option, which does really a good and ‘green’ job, those are the windmills, everything else is harmful to the earth. If it is hydro, nuclear or even solar power, the production of solar cells is very harmful and the liquid used to run a solar plant is very hazardous to Nature.
Additionally, in my Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) bill, I pay Dh150 for consumption of water and Dh250 as housing fees. Even for the air-conditioning bill, I pay Dh90 for consumption and Dh110 as the connection fee. Basically, I pay more for the connection than for the usage.
The idea I have is simply to change the system of charges to percentage of consumption, so maybe 25 per cent or so additional charges. This would result in fair calculation. Hence, more consumption will automatically lead to higher charges and people will be careful.
From Mr Heinz
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Alternative solutions
I have noticed that in some parts of the UAE, AC chilled water efficiency is being reduced so that the utility companies can reduce their operational costs despite tenants and landlords paying them the same charges. This is just unfair.
If a nation wants to reduce power consumption, why not start a project to replace all street lights with LED’s (Light-emitting diode)? Why not replace conventional AC units with cooling towers? There are so many alternative solutions to reducing energy consumption other than playing around with our AC systems.
From Ms Jane
Dubai
Website comment
New Dubai street lights
I live in the New Dubai area, specifically where there are many gated communities. They are well managed, pretty and offer plenty of green space. All this is wonderful. But, when it comes to lighting up the community streets, some strange sort of policy seems to be in operation. There are many street lamps but with broken bulbs or lights that seem to be on some sort of dimmer switch. This is not safe and neither prudent. Use fewer lights but with proper coverage, along with being environmentally friendly.
From Ms Ava Gardenier
Dubai
Freezing shopping malls
Can they also adjust the temperatures in shopping malls and public buildings? These places are too cold and setting a higher temperature here could save a lot of money. I think the temperature should be increased to 23 degrees indoors. Since all running cost trickles down to the customer, it is us who are paying the AC bills for these ice boxes in the desert.
From Ms Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Manageable temperature
A human body can easily adjust to a temperature close to 30 degrees with the help of a fan. I have friends who proudly claim that they keep their AC temperature below 21 degrees. But I fail to understand why? These people find it very difficult to adjust to temperatures outdoors. Once they go to their home countries where the scenario is completely different, it will not be easy for them. If you can slowly lower your cooling temperature to 26 degrees, it will help you and your body in a number of ways.
From Ms Mariakutty
Dubai
Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Send us an email along with your comments and pictures to readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us at @GNReaders.
