Given the beautiful coastlines and landscape, we would fulfil the criteria for a top-10 city if we took good care of our environment. The government is taking tangible steps to enhance our arts and culture, but has a lot to do to reach world-class status. When it comes to buzz and to food and drink we are second to none.

Where we let ourselves down is in the quality-of-life category.

Hong Kong is one of the world's safest cities and has excellent public transport, hospitals and disciplined services. But when it comes to tackling pollution and having the leadership to do this, we have a lot of catching up to do.

What is needed are leaders who will transform our congested environment to one based on a state-of-the-art, sustainable design. It will be the action that is taken in Hong Kong on air quality and climate change that will determine if we have a sustainable future.

As part of this planet we cannot escape the global environmental threat.

The Hong Kong government should aim for a 25 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (from 1990 levels).

As a key player in the Pearl River Delta, we must proactively facilitate a joint emissions- reduction plan with Guangdong. Reducing CO{-2} emissions also contributes to better air quality. WWF urges the government to significantly increase its investment in turning Hong Kong into a low-carbon city.

Apart from immediate measures to reform the power sector and assist corporate and individual citizens to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts, the government must show us its plan. Hong Kong needs a comprehensive climate- change policy.

The government can demonstrate the political will to set an emissions reduction target.

Eventually, we hope to see that the relevant studies and consultations will turn into strong and effective policies which tackle the problems at their roots, be it the air in Hong Kong or the climate in a global sense. We all depend on the environment for our survival and must strive for excellence. With vision and determination, we can make Hong Kong one of the world's top 10 cities.

Trevor Yang, chairman, WWF Hong Kong

Pledges have hollow ring

I refer to the letters by Paul Serfaty ('Blame Bush for the mess', September 15) and Reuben M. Tuck ('Obama cleaning up Bush's mess', September 17) replying to my letter on US President Barack Obama ('Obama should tighten own belt', September 11).

I don't recall saying Mr Obama was worse than George W. Bush as president.

I stood aghast as we watched Mr Bush engage in a needless war with a country guilty of no crime save a dislike of America and its flawed values.

I have felt the financial fallout of eight years of Republican over-spending to continue the American dream as keenly as the next man.

I have seen little of the change, stability and hope Mr Obama was elected to bring.

Indeed Mr Tuck is correct, as is Mr Serfaty, that Mr Obama has inherited a plethora of problems from perhaps the worst president to ever hold office.

As an Englishman, I am not a US voter, yet, I like many, watched keenly as then-senator Obama engaged the world in his election bid.

So, Mr Tuck, what has this to do with Hong Kong directly? Nothing at all, but as the world's supposed greatest democracy dillies and dallies I believe we are all entitled to voice our opinions.

Mark Peaker, The Peak

Tighten safety in workplace

The fatal accident at the International Commerce Centre has forced many of us to think about industrial safety.

There have been a number of industrial accidents in Hong Kong over the last few years.

We must look at the relevant safety regulations and remove any possible loopholes.

Contractors must adhere to the law.

They cannot be allowed to cut corners and thereby compromise workers' safety.

The government must pledge to provide more thorough monitoring of these sites to ensure workers are property protected.

Tracy Lam, Kwun Tong

'Father of LKF' a media tag

The 'father of Lan Kwai Fong' is not a name that Allan Zeman coined, but one which the media has pinned on him because of his influence over the bustling nightlife area.

I agree with others he was not the father, as many others broke ground before he did, but people should chill out with the Zeman-bashing going around.

He merely saw the potential and exploited it to the fullest. That is no different to any of the other tycoons in Hong Kong.

Our Lan Kwai Fong is known throughout Asia, and probably beyond, as a party area. At least Mr Zeman does not just sit on his vast capital and do nothing.

He has done a fantastic job of running Ocean Park and is not aloof. You are still very likely to bump into him at California or any other of his group restaurants and bars on a typical night. He still fronts his company's PR events, even if he has to look daft for the promotion. That is class.

Amit Singh, Sheung Wan

Great education

I agree with columnist Albert Cheng King-hon ('The intelligent choice', September 12) and US consular official Joseph A. Bookbinder ('Students benefit from US degree', September 19), who espouse the benefits of an American higher education degree.

However, with the name-brand obsession that is too common amongst Hongkongers, locals are short-selling themselves if their only targets are the so-called preferred schools on a subjective list put out by news weeklies. Students should realise that American institutions offer rare opportunities to open one's mind with relevant courses, thoughtful dialogue, healthy debate and extra-curricular activities that exercise the mind and body.

These are things that I believe are lacking in the traditional Asian school curriculum and they will make the student a better person overall, in the long run.

Charles Henning, Guangzhou

Recent past

I disagree with your editorial ('A confident nation doesn't ban celebrations', September 18) when you say that the 'nation has made giant strides since it was founded 60 years ago; no other country can claim to have made such gains in so short a time'. China has been through all sorts of self-inflicted turmoil, hardship, famine since liberation 60 years ago.

Lots of countries have achieved as much or more in 60 years. You are probably referring to the last 10 to 20 years, which have been remarkable. Below the surface, too, things have changed markedly; however, there is plenty of room left for improvement and there can be no let-up, as the Chinese government knows.

Sam Crispin, Shanghai