letters

Time to halt the plastic menace

If you search for 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' on Google, you will find a lot of photos showing the ocean full of plastic waste.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a place in the central north Pacific Ocean where waste collects owing to ocean currents. This shows just how dangerous plastic can be to the environment.

Plastics are non-biodegradable, which means they last for a very long time. They damage animal habitats and can even choke the animals if they eat them. If you burn plastic it will give off toxic gases.

It is up to us to stop this waste by using less plastic. We should bring our own bags when shopping and use reusable tableware, not disposable cutlery. By doing so, we will cut down on plastic waste and the chance of saving the environment will be greater.

We should also recycle the plastic we do use and make new products. Then maybe the Great Pacific Garbage Patch will finally disappear.

Chan Hong, King Ling College

High-power costs highlight inequality

I am writing about the soaring costs of electricity in our city. CLP and Hongkong Electric have both raised rates, although after negotiation they agreed to reduce the original suggested rises slightly.

As no one can live without electricity, the livelihood of the poor will be significantly affected by this.

The difference between incomes of the rich and poor in Hong Kong is one of the highest among the developed cities of the world. It is cruel that some citizens enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, while others have to count their dollars.

Business is also affected. Higher power prices lead to pressure on operations and uncertainty over economic growth. In the end the costs will be borne by the public.

A public utility should have social responsibilities concerning the old and the poor. They should strike a balance between profitability and morality. The power companies should also disclose detailed estimated costs and explain why they need to make these increases.

What's more, the government should amend the regulations about the maximum profitability of public utilities, including the two electricity companies, public transport and tunnel management firms. It should also set up fee-charging systems to calculate the selling price of each kilowatt hour of electricity of different sections of the society.

Lee Wai-yan, Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School

Love can help us all through troubles

Love is a powerful and magical thing. There are many different types of love: a family's love, a friend's love and the care shown between humans.

A family's love is like a shelter. When we have troubles or sad events, we can go to the shelter and it will protect us. It can help us be strong and overcome our sadness.

The love of a friend can be strong and influential. Friends are important; they can help us solve problems. Also, they can remind us that things will get better. When our friends are in danger we will do anything to save them. Friends tolerate our faults. When we make big mistakes, they offer us a chance to do better.

The care humans show for each other is also a type of love. It can let people unite and help those who are in trouble. For example, after the earthquake in Sichuan on the mainland, many countries and organisations came to assist.

Love is a great gift and we should treasure it.

Vivian Lam, STFA Tam Pak Yu College

Planning the answer to studying well

Most students are really busy with many other things apart from normal school work. For example, they go to tutorial classes or learn a musical instrument. This means it is hard to find time for revision.

I think it is important to have a timetable. If you do not plan your time well it is likely you will play for a long time and study only for a short period. I have already planned how I will use the forthcoming holiday for regular revision.

Also, doing revision in a quiet place is important. Some students like to work while listening to the music. But this is not a relaxing way of studying and may even distract them. I think the library is the best place for studying.

So, let's all study well during holiday and keep trying to make time during school days, too.

Amber Dun, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College