Changing for the better

Dear Sir,

I’m overwhelmed by the response to my letter “Parents must change, not school timings” (Gulf Times, November 19). Thank you all.
Parents play the most crucial role in children’s studies and support them in whatever way they can.
As a student, I know parents are always keen to provide everything their children ask for. But in my school I have seen a lot of children making their parents buy branded shoes, expensive mobile phones, etc. My suggestion is that parents should make their children understand the sacrifices they make for giving them a comfortable life and good education. Children will then understand the value of money and the efforts that their parents make.
My father, as one letter suggested, is not self-employed; he is working with a private firm. On reaching home after work every day, he discusses with me about my day in school and studies. This inspires me to do better. And I’m proud of my academic record. But studies don’t dominate my life. I find time for extracurricular activities too. In the junior-wing, I was the head boy at my  school. My achievements owe to “smart work” instead of hard work.
After my studies, I find time to help my parents in household chores and also make sure that I get good exercise every day.
My parents share all things with me as they consider children form the most important part of the family. And I understand how hard my father works to give us a comfortable life. My mother resigned from her job to care for us. That affected our income but we adjusted to that, knowing that in the long-term it will benefit our upbringing if one of the parents stays at home to take care of us.
My parents’ opinion is that “we can earn money at any time but there is only a fixed time to get a proper education”.
The point I’m making is that parents should adjust and change their priorities while taking care of their children instead of blaming school timings and other issues for any problems.
The reward for parents’ sacrifices comes when their children reach a good position once they grow up.  
My humble request once again is:  Parents should stop blaming the school timings for their failings and shortcomings, instead they should make good timetables for their children and set an example to them.

Gaith Abdul Gafoor, abugaith28@yahoo.com

Misguided efforts

Dear Sir,

This is in response to the article “A plan B to confront climate change” (Gulf Times, November 19).
A moral tragedy is unfolding because of the misguided efforts to control the Earth’s climate.
Across the world, people suffer because of climate change. Yet aid agencies are unable to secure sufficient funds to help them because, of the almost $1bn spent daily on climate finance, only 7%  goes to helping vulnerable people adapt to climate change.
Because activists have convinced governments that we are the master controllers of global climate, the remaining 93% is poured into mitigation, trying to stop a phenomenon that might someday happen. This is immoral, effectively valuing the lives of people yet to be born over those in need today.
Reports such as those of the nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change illustrate that there is no known scientific consensus about what caused the past century’s modest warming or even whether warming or cooling lie ahead. Experts do agree, however, that climate always changes and people need help now. Let’s help them to the degree we can afford and stop pretending we can control climate change.

Tom Harris, Executive Director, International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC)
28 Tiverton Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, K2E 6L5 ,Canada