Food waste is a terrible thing in our consumerist society

I write in reference to your article Dubai restaurant makes diners fork out Dh50 if they don't finish meal (January 15): how is that going to promote healthy living and eating? People are going to eat past the point of feeling full to avoid paying the surplus charge.

Maybe they should make their portions smaller if this is such a big problem.

Jennifer Loucks, Dubai

I assume reusable takeaway containers are not a option for them. Is this even enforceable? Sometimes people don’t finish their meals because they plan to use the second half for their next meal. Others might not finish because they don’t like what they ordered. There could be myriad reasons why someone doesn’t finish their food.

Name withheld by request

This is a good move. We shouldn’t waste any food in the first place but should take or order only what we can eat.

Eizterf Adineb, Auckland

Anyone who’ll be dining in this restaurant and can’t finish their food, message me. I’ll only charge Dh20 to finish the meal for you.

Aileen Lee Miranda, Dubai

Let’s introduce water consumption thresholds

I write in reference to your online article Water price hike needed to teach people its value, say sustainability experts (January 15): how about penalising overuse rather than hiking fees across the board?

Every home should have a threshold of efficiency. It would make more sense to pay more after your consumption rises above what an equivalent “efficient” home would consume.

Miguel Llorente, Dubai

A lot of water could be saved if the grass in Abu Dhabi was replaced with artificial grass.

Ron Cunningham, UAE

Mike Pompeo’s visit was important for the region

I refer to your article US engagement in the Middle East is critical to global security (January 13): The National's editorial was a very insightful and interesting read. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's consequential visit to the UAE capital last week as part of his regional tour was an important moment for stability and security in the Middle East.

As your editorial outlined, the US and the UAE have a strong bilateral and trade relationship, built over years. I am sure plenty was accomplished by his visit.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Concorde was way ahead of its time, 50 years ago

I write in reference to your article Supersonic jet will fly from Dubai to Boston in just 7 hours (January 15). To think, Concorde was capable of doing this more than 50 years ago. It just shows you what a marvellous piece of engineering it was.

Adam El-Balawi, Dubai