Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. The government’s proposed changes to Hong Kong’s statutory planning regime are badly flawed (“Proposal to boost Hong Kong land supply may cut process but limit public input”, March 16 ). They may save very little time while definitively removing vital inputs, checks and balances from this fundamental area of government. A glance at the numerous High Court judgments on the workings of the Planning Department and the Town Planning Board over the last 10 years or so demonstrates that those two bodies cannot always be relied upon to act fairly, reasonably or even lawfully in the absence of public scrutiny. On that evidence, giving the same civil servants more power to push things through by reducing or removing requirements for consultation with all interested parties, would simply encourage poor decision-making. That in turn produces worse, not better or more “efficient”, planning. Nobody pretends this is not a difficult balance to strike. In the absence of public accountability for officials, it is ever more important that the planning process is both transparent and inclusive. The government has long accepted the need for thorough planning reform. Almost 30 years ago, it commissioned a paper which included detailed legislative proposals. There are readily-available and appropriate models in other developed states and cities. Piecemeal amendments to shut out those affected by decisions is not the way to go. Nigel Kat, senior counsel, Admiralty We waste more water than we realise through our diets For the average person, water conservation probably involves taking shorter showers or not leaving taps running. However, this “visible” use of water accounts for only 10 per cent of our total consumption. This Tuesday marks World Water Day, and this year’s theme focuses on the water waste we can’t see. Today, 70 per cent of global freshwater use is for agriculture, and a large portion is used for raising livestock. The meat-heavy diets of most urban populations are therefore extremely water-intensive. Hong Kong, for example, has a water footprint of around 4,700 litres per person per day – double that of the recommended Chinese diet. Meat can’t take all of the blame, however. A cup of coffee consumes 140 litres of water. While it may not sound like much, the average person in Hong Kong drinks 165 cups a year, and the average person in Europe as many as 800 cups. Health food trends also put a strain on water resources. California is the world’s largest exporter of almonds. But increased cultivation has worsened water problems in the drought-prone state. The rise in popularity of avocados has caused similar problems in parts of South America. Climate change will only exacerbate our water problems. When Yunnan suffered its worst drought of the decade in 2020, around 1.5 million people experienced drinking water shortages and some 300,000 hectares of crop were damaged. Adopting a plant-heavy diet is good for us and the planet. Swapping meat for fish or going vegetarian can cut our water footprint by 35-55 per cent. Even eating meat less often will reduce your footprint by at least 11 per cent. As consumers, we need to look beyond the “visible” health benefits of our food to the invisible environmental impact. Wendell Chan, senior policy research and advocacy officer, Friends of the Earth (HK) Beach closure a further detriment to public health What is the government’s logic in closing beaches , especially as summer approaches? Beaches are outdoor spaces where adults and children can get fresh air, vitamin D, sunshine and exercise, all of which strengthen the immune system. There are sufficient guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department and lifeguard personnel on duty could step up monitoring and help enforce these guidelines. Five of Hong Kong’s best beaches unaffected by government closure This policy formulated by people in their air-conditioned office cocoons defies reasonable thinking, advice from the scientific community and common sense. Beatrice Lee, Repulse Bay Legal steps to safeguard your family during quarantine Families have expressed fears of being torn apart should their child need to be sent to mandatory quarantine. Likewise, many worry what will happen to their children or elderly family members should they themselves be put in quarantine. In the event that a parent is unable to care for their child, appointing a legal guardian can help to safeguard the child’s immediate needs and their long-term future. Without a formal appointment of a guardian, the Hong Kong court becomes the de facto guardian of any child under 18 whose parents cannot care for them. The court is likely to appoint the Director of Social Welfare to be the guardian of the child. Things can get messy should family members compete for guardianship of children, which can be very traumatic for the children. This can be avoided by appointing a guardian of the parents’ choice in the first place. For expatriate families who don’t have extended family in Hong Kong, the appointment of temporary guardians can be crucial as it ensures a smooth transition of care for children. If relatives are elderly or physically incapacitated, they may be unable to go to a quarantine facility or hospital on their own. If they have existing medical conditions which support this, it is advisable to have a doctor-verified letter prepared in advance. An enduring power of attorney (EPA) gives legal authority to a person of the donor’s choosing to make financial and legal decisions on their behalf. If your relative is mentally competent, this can assist your relative in expressing their wishes should they be separated from you. Proper planning will ensure your family is taken care of. Samantha Gershon and Sharon Ser, partners, Withersworldwide