Refutation of Anthropogenic Global Warming

The letter to the editor by Dr Rupert Read from the University of East Anglia (Climate change is a fact despite recent allegations, November 20) is a vain attempt to promote the myth of human-produced climate change (Anthropogenic Global Warming) on the eve of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico. The climate has always been changing and to claim it is caused by humans is the greatest hoax of all time.
We are still emerging from an ice age and over the past 20,000 years the ice sheets of Europe, Asia and North America have receded to almost the Arctic Circle and the sea levels have risen by over 100 metres - all without human intervention. During this time we have had warmer periods than we have now. The medieval warming period saw temperatures in Greenland warm enough to grow grain crops and grapes (impossible now).
Although computer forecasts predict all sorts of disastrous scenarios, there is no hard scientific evidence that carbon dioxide is changing the climate and there is certainly no scientific consensus that it is doing so. Indeed in 2008, some 32,000 scientists in the US signed a partition to the US government stating that they did not believe humans were causing climate change, and further that some increase in carbon dioxide levels would be beneficial to agriculture. Humans contribute very little of the carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere (most comes from volcanoes) and to say that we can influence the climate of the world by reducing our meagre contribution is a fantasy.
A great industry has grown around Anthropogenic Global Warming with large amounts of money to be made from taxes, carbon trading and the production of alternative energy facilities, none of which will have the slightest effect on the climate.
Bob Brock, Australia
 
High consumer prices hurt UAE
If we go back 20 or 30 years, nearly all consumer items were relatively cheap in the UAE, but this is no longer the case. From computers to cameras, from watches to clothes, prices in the UAE are significantly higher than in most other countries (especially when sales tax is reclaimed by international buyers).
Is this because shopping mall rents are too high? Is it because of the sole agent monopoly system? Whatever the cause, it is not good for the wider (airlines, hotels, restaurants, car hire etc) UAE economy.
Zaki Anderson, Abu Dhabi
 
Widen the terms of being Emirati
Sultan Al Qassemi's opinion article Mixed marriages bring strength upon strength to the UAE (August 29) made a strong point about changing the policies of citizenship.  The UAE used to not recognise any Emirati who had another nationality.  Recently the rule is "don't ask, don't tell". However, Sultan Al Qassemi seems to only talk about Emirati men married to British and American women.
What about Emirati men who are married to women from other Asian and African countries? Don't they enrich the UAE culture as well?  And what about women who don't want to marry Emiratis?  Don't men from other cultures enrich the UAE culture if they marry Emirati women?
Ahmad Alromaithi, Abu Dhabi
 
A fan's note to a weekly columnist
I love the My Life columns of Fatima al Shamsi. I'm always inspired when I read about the life experiences of women my age that are unique but also very easy to relate to. I really think it's a joke how modern magazines directed toward women of our generation are filled to the brim with unhelpful and repetitive Carrie Bradshaw wannabe, sappy, lady-problem stories that have little or nothing to do with who we are and everything to do with selling us on a commercial standard. Excellent work. Keep it up please.
Commarrah Bashar, Abu Dhabi
 
Banking scandal ruins Indian image
The article New banking scandal another hit to India's credibility (November 26) was interesting to read. In recent years, India has grown dramatically in all areas,but corruption has also shown rapid growth. In recent months, scam after sacm have been brought to light. Today the way in which all sectors have looted tax payer money is highly unacceptable to the common man of India. That people in highly responsible positions are running scams is very painful. The banking sector was not exposed to corruption for many years so the current scandal is really shocking.
Any good administration needs transparency and accountability. People now asking whether the current administration possesses these qualities. Even though,over all, governance is good, a few people can spoil the entire government's image.
K Ragavan, India