Letters to the Editor, April 20, 2017

DiCaprio is a class snob on climate change I refer to the letters on April 13 from Peter Tam (“Film star’s green message really hit home”) and Carly Chan (“Individual actions make a difference”). One must ask why ordinary working people should suffer though the heat of summer without the use of air conditioners in order to appease the weird “do as I say not as I do”, philosophies of global Hollywood elites who deny themselves nothing. Operating your air conditioner to provide yourself a small measure of cool comfort when the temperature rises is not a bad habit one needs to break or a world-destroying action you should feel guilty over – rather it’s something you worked for and deserve. Class snobs like Leonardo DiCaprio have existed throughout history, imbuing themselves with special insights unavailable to common men. Past practitioners dressed their liberty-robbing theories up in religious or political mysticism, today phoney science is used. The goal remains the same, to deny general prosperity to honest working people seen as unable to know what’s good for them, and who feel they must be governed by their so-called betters. DiCaprio doesn’t use crowded public transport or turn off air conditioners on a private jet or a monster yacht he hired, why should ordinary citizens? You are just as good as he is. Particularly disturbing are the references to government action made by your correspondents. Authority should never be used to roll back human advancement to further any individual agenda. But if people really do believe in the ridiculous nonsense of climate change and want to do something, picket all the theatres showing DiCaprio movies insisting they turn off air conditioners. Dave Long, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Get walking to help create a greener world In many societies throughout the world, there is still insufficient infrastructure to ensure greater environmental protection, especially in developing countries. Lots of meetings are held to discuss making the necessary improvements, including the Walk21 Hong Kong Conference last year which discussed ways of making the city more pedestrian-friendly. If people can walk to places more frequently, they will use less public transport and fewer private cars, and that will help to reduce emissions and roadside pollution. This is not only good for the environment, but also for people’s health. It is important that we all walk more frequently. One way to make this possible would be for the government to ensure that more pedestrian streets are planned in each of Hong Kong’s 18 districts. This will encourage citizens to develop the habit of walking regularly. Athena Yip, Kowloon Tong Tree health still not a top priority in HK Not enough attention is being paid by the government to ensure the preservation of Hong Kong’s oldest trees. It has a steering committee which looks into tree management and a Register of Old and Valuable Trees, but more regular checks are needed so that they get the protection they deserve. Some of these older trees are neglected and either the whole tree or part of it collapses. For example, a falling branch from a wishing tree in Lam Tsuen injured someone a few years back. The trees are particularly vulnerable in bad weather, amid strong winds and heavy rain. The government has to do more, including undertaking more regular checks, and it has to raise awareness about the need to protect and preserve our oldest trees for future generations. Ng Tsz-wing, Tseung Kwan O Liver donor’s display of heart rare in our city I admire the woman who donated part of her liver to enable a mother to have a transplant. The transplant patient’s daughter was not allowed to donate part of her liver, as she was still below the legal age of 18. I really admire the courage of the 26-year-old donor, Momo Cheng, and the decision she made to save someone’s life. Although this was a live organ donation, more citizens must sign up for the donor register so that their organs can be harvested after they have died and save lives. The number who have done this in Hong Kong is still low, because of the traditional belief, especially among the older generation, that the body should stay intact after death. It is difficult to change this mindset, but I hope it will happen. The government must do more to promote the organ donor register, make citizens more aware of the need to sign up and clear up the misunderstandings that persist. They need to realise that by joining the register they can help to save patients’ lives. Koey Shum, Wong Tai Sin Sevens tickets system makes event elitist Much has been said in your newspaper about the Hong Kong Sevens and, if it represents a very narrow section of society, should the city be hosting it. My own view is that it is an important event that is conducted in a very sporting and convivial manner, but it needs to be more inclusive. Many of the tickets are complimentary, given to the sponsors and well-off companies who invite their clients. However, many of these clients may already have a ticket and so don’t use the complimentary one or simply don’t attend the Sevens weekend. Any claims by the Hong Kong Rugby Union that the event itself was a standout success should be tested against the 60-65 per cent occupancy rate that one could see on Saturday and Sunday. Even the corporate boxes were very thinly attended. Allocation to companies should be cut and tickets should be sold by ballot to residents of Hong Kong, in the same way that tickets are auctioned every year for the Wimbledon tennis championships. That would be the best way to address the right perception that the event is too elitist and does not represent the Hong Kong community at large. Rahil Ahuja, Repulse Bay Working out, music make for better sleep I agree with the claim that people who don’t get enough sleep will tend to eat more high-calorie food (“Hunger games: how lack of sleep can trick you into the junk food obesity trap”, April 13). People are so busy at work in Hong Kong and usually under so much pressure, that they often do not get enough sleep. Doing aerobic exercises before going to bed might help them fall asleep more quickly and prevent insomnia. Also, they can listen to relaxing music which helps relieve the pressure and make it easier to fall asleep. People will enjoy a better quality of life and a healthier diet if they get enough rest at night. Carmen Wong Ka-man, Kwai Chung