Emirates Post can open its doors, but it has to listen

Emirates Post needs to listen to its customer's feedback, a reader says. Other views: UAE and climate change, suicide charity and consistent speed limits.

A reader praises Emirates Post's openness but says they still have to listen to their customers. Photo: Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

I read your recent article (Emirates Post opens its sorting office doors to The National, April 27) on the Emirates Post group with interest and I applaud their efforts to better explain how their business operates.

However I feel they have a very long way to go when it comes to dealing with customers. As a regular user of the post I have made a number of suggestions to them through the UAE Federal Government Gateway (www.mygov.ae).

The first suggestion was made back in March 2013 and was given an implementation date of November 2013, yet I have never received any response or acknowledgement from Emirates Post.

I hope that Emirates Post will now start listening to customers and addressing their needs.

Ralph Lawson, Dubai

UAE helping, but more must follow

With regard to your story, UN secretary general praises UAE's climate change policies (April 29), I say kudos to Abu Dhabi for what it is doing.

Unfortunately even with the UAE’s contribution, it does not scratch the surface of the problem when it comes to climate change.

Renewable energy will only account for 7 per cent of energy by 2020 in Abu Dhabi and less in Dubai.

The nuclear plant planned for Abu Dhabi will further reduce the need for hydrocarbons, but will bring other risks.

It’s clear that energy from fossil fuels will be around for decades if not centuries and continues to fuel China, India, Europe and the US, where hydrocarbons continue to be the major source of energy.

It’s not that we can’t reverse the effects of climate change – the technology is there, but it comes at a cost. The world needs to put its resources and political will together for change.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

A study in 2010 by Justin Dargin, a research fellow at the Dubai Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School, argues that in spite of the extremely high greenhouse gas emissions rates, GCC members will benefit economically, environmentally and geopolitically by constructing a harmonised carbon trading platform within the GCC nations.

The system being recommended is a hybrid, combining carbon emissions trading of credits and a carbon tax. According to the findings of this study, the market prospects of Gulf carbon trading are enormous.

The Gulf states are in an exceptional position to take the lead in carbon trading and developing a lucrative carbon market with binding caps that would cut down on their carbon emissions while generating revenue for renewable energy projects.

Prodeep Mookerjee, Abu Dhabi

Your report that 13 of the hottest 14 years on record have been this century makes it clear the climate is changing rapidly.

I believe human activities are causing climate change and that is the reason behind soaring temperatures worldwide.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Hope that charity will avert tragedies

Your article, Louis Smith Foundation: in memory of a loved son and UAE resident (May 4) was heartbreaking to read.

This is a very important new charity because many children get bullied at school and often parents do not even know about this until it is too late.

Also on social media like Facebook, quite a few children and teenagers are being ridiculed or bullied or lied about. Sometimes even the best and most loving children can no longer take it and sink into a horrible depression, with some going to the last, sad resort of taking their own lives.

Children need to be protected from many threats – from perverts and abusers, from cruel classmates and, in some other cases, even from their own parents.

Name withheld by request

This is so, so sad. I think it would help prevent this happening in the future if someone established and promoted a phone service help line.

Sometimes just having someone professional to talk to can make all the difference.

Name withheld by request

Consistent speed limits cut road toll

Your article (Speeding across the UAE and maids top FNC agenda, May 4) poses the question whether inconsistent speed limits are part of the reason for the death toll.

I believe they are. The different speed limits are very confusing for many drivers.

In Australia, where I’m from, we have set speed limits, such as 30 kph in schools zones, 50 kph in residential areas, 80 kph at the edges of built-up areas and a maximum of 110 kph on highways.

Everyone knows this and everyone follows the rules. The result is it is a much safer place to drive, and safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi