Climate change a global concern

A reader says the floods in the Philippines are evidence that the world climate is changing and we should all be concerned. Other topics: Dubai's Olympic bid, GPS addresses and utility prices.

A reader cites the flooding in the Philippines this week as evidence of the threat of climate change. Ted Aljibe / AFP

Olympic Games in Dubai would be a big success

I wish the Dubai Olympics committee every success in its bid for the 2024 Summer Games.

As your editorial (An Olympian effort, December 6) points out, the Olympics have never been held in the Middle East or in a Muslim country, and Dubai is very well placed to accommodate them.

While I can see some small problems - for example, the weather would dictate a change to the dates of the Games, making them later in the year than is usual - there is no reason why the Dubai Olympics would not be an overwhelming success.

More and more people are coming to the UAE for work and tourism, and I am sure the vast majority of them will happily help spread the word about Dubai's bid.

Jim Hennings, Dubai

Climate change is a real concern

The World Bank report mentioned in Middle East faces major changes in climate (December 6) is extremely worrying.

We are already seeing the catastrophic effects of global warming elsewhere on the planet - the recent typhoon flooding in the Philippines is an example - and it can only be a matter of time before this region is affected.

When will all world governments finally come together to agree that climate change is real, and its potential outcomes are catastrophic? And how long after that will it beuntil they agree to do something about it?

Are we so obsessed with what is happening right now that we don't care what kind of world we bequeath to the next generation?

In years to come, some child will ask: "What did you do about climate change when you had the chance, grandfather?" The reply will be an ashamed silence.

P McGann, Dubai

GPS scheme not the only way to go

Regarding Dubai addresses the need for directions (December 6), why not actually name the streets and assign building numbers?

There's no real grid in Dubai and, even with GPS, it's impossible to find places because the signage is so bad. Streets are named one thing on the GPS and another in common parlance, then have a third name on the sign.

I can't tell you how many times I've known exactly where I need to be and/or could see the building, but because of the complex maze of dead ends, I haven't been able to get to my destination.

Having GPS coordinates for buildings will be helpful, but unless a concerted effort is made to actually map out the paths to these buildings, it's not going to make reaching your destination that much easier.

N Lang, Dubai

Utility prices are best left alone

I cannot agree with the letter Utility prices send wrong message (December 5).

Cheaper energy prices are the dividend UAE residents receive for living in a prosperous nation.

I would like to see research that proves people use more electricity or water when it is cheaper. I would like to believe most people are responsible in this regard.

The rest of us should not be forced to pay more if a few people abuse the generosity of the system.

J Anger, Dubai

Harassed women should seek help

I was appalled when I read Women were grabbed in National Day crowds (December 5).

A group of women, all teachers, went to the Abu Dhabi Corniche where they were cornered by a swarm of men and briefly groped.

I ask myself what the attackers could have possibly gained from such a sickening act.

It is a good thing that one of the women threw a water bottle at them, screaming, to capture the crowd's attention. This is when the men fled.

I hope the victims are not traumatised by this incident and feel unable to go out in public again. If they do, they should seek help.

Dana Abdallah, Abu Dhabi

Cooperation may benefit rival states

I am writing in reference to What exactly is Palestine? (December 6).

When Palestine becomes a nation, it will be attached to Israel by an economic umbilical cord.

But not all is bad. Already the Palestinians do $3 billion (Dh11 billion) worth of business with Israel. Israel is the Palestinians' largest trading partner.

West Bank olive oil and grapes could go to Gaza to be shipped out to markets in Europe. Israeli farmers could bring fresh fruit and flowers to Gaza to be flown to Europe, and Gaza could receive service fees and taxes from this activity. Joint ventures between Israelis and Palestinians could bring both nations a windfall of profits.

But for this to happen, both sides need to recognise and positively interact with each other.

Tim Upham, UK