Just do this much for environment

A reader calls on people to become more aware about the environmental impact of air-conditioners. Other topics: London attacker, Sharjah census, copyright, Lawrence of Arabia

A reader says people should be more aware of the environmental impact of air-conditioners. Jeff Topping / The National

Why is it that I find myself, a normal, healthy middle-aged man, so often freezing cold in this otherwise delightful country? I go into shops, offices, homes, cars, hotel rooms and literally shiver with cold – it’s completely absurd.

There is an international conference going on in Paris at the moment trying to persuade nations to reduce energy consumption and save the planet from global warming. It costs twice as much energy and money to cool the air as it does to heat it, yet here we all appear to be preparing ourselves for a move to Iceland or Siberia.

We all want to save the planet, to reduce global warming and to preserve our world for the coming generations. Well here’s something really simple we can all do – turn the air-conditioner thermostat to 24°C and leave it there.

Dan Wilks, Abu Dhabi

Response to London attacker was appropriate

The British response to terrorism is to react with fervent action (This bruv ain't no Muslim, December 8).

As a small island in north Europe, Britain has evolved into a place that cannot be broken from the outside or inside by bigoted, racist views. Britons embrace the differences in other people because their own people are so different from each other. This is how they survived Hitler.

Britain celebrates those people who push towards survival despite differences in genetics and loves those that come from areas in the world that have seen oppression and only wish to do well in a land where decent morals such as “love your neighbour” pervade.

Giles Heaton, Dubai

This is exactly what people need to understand: that no religion, nationality or country is to be blamed or criticised on the basis of an individual’s act. Any act of violence that causes harm to innocent people neither represents nor relates to any religion – it is either a result of a criminal mind or terrorism.

The individual who yelled out this response to the attacker who tried to avenge the happenings in Syria is worthy of praise. The hashtag should be shared as much as possible on the internet.

Name withheld by request

Census form was complex

This refers to the news article Sharjah residents urged to cooperate with census staff (December 8). We had a representative from the Sharjah Census team deliver the census form at our apartment nearly two weeks ago.

We were required to fill in the details and return it within four weeks. However, we completed the form online. The online form could have been more user-friendly. It was complicated and was to be submitted not before December 5 or after December 6.

Most of the people had issues filling in their details or missed the deadline. Also, the questions posted online were complex. Some were hard to comprehend.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Copyright must be respected

Your story Dubai duo want to be rewarded when their music is played in UAE (December 7) raised a pertinent issue. If local radio stations do not respect copyright laws, they will set a very bad example.

Beatrice Madeleine Rouzeau, Dubai

Lawrence’s story is fascinating

Jonathan Gornall's article The politics of betrayal: exhibition on Britain's imperial past resonates with present (December 1) was interesting. It made me want to read more (both perspectives). Certainly the British Empire did many great things across the world. But it is also guilty, like many wealthy and powerful nations before and after, of carrying out atrocities and abhorrent acts under the guise of support, development and progress.

I wonder whether Lawrence’s love of Arabia is myth, legend or fallacy. I guess that this depends on what you read.

Ali McDonald, UK