More studies needed about the upcoming deluge

A map shows Abu Dhabi submerged under a nine-metre rise in ocean levels. A reader questions the assumptions behind broad predictions of climate change.

I refer to Climate change study warns of severe impact (January 15), which reported that rising sea levels could leave Abu Dhabi and Dubai under water by 2100. This is a bit provocative and potentially alarming. But are we in truth to be so alarmed? I am convinced the public deserves more details to understand what already happened in the past (climate change history) and what may happen in the short, medium, long or very long term. It is always interesting to know the history of the area we live in and sharing knowledge is definitely a way to increase community awareness about risks and challenges.

The UAE Government is concerned about the potential impact of climate change on the UAE - this is good. The article deals with the anticipated impacts of the climate change but not with the reasons which could lead to these impacts. It would be interesting to get some simple factual explanations on how the specialists come to these scenarios (a rise in seawater from one metre to nine metres does not imply the same hypotheses) and to know, as well, if these specialists represent 95 per cent of the scientists or 15 per cent. It will also be interesting to understand other theories being developed by highly reputable scientists in oceanography and climatology to contradict the analysis of the current "doctrine" of rising oceans. It is also important that governments protect transparency and science from serving special interests. Scientists agree on the fact they still have a lot more to learn to better understand the complexity of the phenomenon of climate. Tristan de Ferluc, Abu Dhabi

Michael Young's opinion article Loved, not feared: Obama and the curse of Carter (January 14) described a recent decline in US power as during the Jimmy Carter years. I feel that it is indeed too early to count how many pins have fallen. It has taken many years of getting to where we are now. The US president Barack Obama has inherited the mess of not just George W Bush, but the politics of misguided and often undemocratic leaders in Iran, China, Iraq, Yemen and Russia, to name a few. Of course as a world power the government of the United States has had to placate corrupt leaders and their policies.

On top of this there is a world economy that almost collapsed. Mr Obama has a lot on his plate, but time is on his side and so I believe things will improve. Mr Bush put the US into financial ruin and with his them-against-us policies has alienated many countries. Also it has only been just a year into Mr Obama's first term. Honesty, trust, fairness, and respect is a mighty shield of protection against tyranny. Michael Banks, Canada

In reference to the article Google threatens to quit China over online spy plot (January 14), it is ironic to see Google, a company that was exposed some time ago as secretly keeping user profiles for tracking, is now looking like the victim of China's alleged censorship. Google is nothing but Microsoft in disguise as a touchy-feely company, and in reality is as cut-throat as any other. Of course, the Googles, Microsofts or Ciscos had no problems cutting deals in China when it suited them while proffering the same old excuses.

The real problem for Google now is the lack of a significant market share against the local Baidu in high growth China after all these years. And the excuse looks brilliant. More ironic is witnessing the US government crying lack of freedom and human rights in China (and other places) while saying nothing about Guantanamo or Abu Ghraib. Public memory is fleeting, so America can lecture the world while it cannot do much about its own economy or human rights record. Athar Mian, Abu Dhabi

I refer to Colin Randall's opinion piece on language Why we don't need to put words into teenagers' mouths (January 16). Being the proud mother of a six-foot 18-year-old who, when not in bed, is to be spied emptying the fridge, I can vouch for the text message way of speaking. We talked about this the other night and in so many words, he informed me that he only needed about four words to communicate with me as my discussions with him were so predictable. It's 7am - time to get up. Urghhhhhhh. Have you got your keys? Dunno. Have you got your phone? (Shrug). What time are you back? Why?

And so it goes on. He does seem to manage to communicate with the outside world, though, so I imagine all those years of school did teach him something. I do worry at times when he sends me e-mails full of spelling mistakes and things like RU but, as he says, it is a rapid form of communication and he doesn't have time to spell and punctuate properly and doesn't need to. I just think we are getting left behind, thank God!

Louise Manfield, Belgium [e-mail]