While I agree with Katharina Okano's assertion that now is the time for efforts to go green with solar panels ("Reader's Voice: 'More green efforts needed' ", Nov. 21 issue), I don't believe that the common man building a home should be required to install solar panels.

The purchase of solar panels should be prorated according to the income of home builders. Lower-income home builders, should they desire solar panels, should be able to buy them at cheaper rates. Families building homes that cost more than the average home in each prefecture should be required to pay more. Moreover, medium and large businesses should be required by law to have many green devices in place. While these devices may be expensive at first, tax breaks could eventually offset the cost. While we're at it, how about putting some solar panels on all of those huge skyscrapers, too?

On the other hand, small businesses should be given a break on fees for the first five years of their existence.

The article, "Warming's impacts accelerated since Kyoto" (Dec. 5 issue) was particularly interesting. For me, it is absurd to see that the polar ice is melting while at the same time thousands of iceboxes in supermarkets are keeping the food and customers cool. People in Japan think they will be able to do something to prevent global warming through the use of new, environmentally friendly technologies and that they will not have to change the Japanese "throw away" cultural attitude. Before installing solar panels on the roofs of houses, it would make more sense to cover the iceboxes in supermarkets.

There are many opportunities to reduce energy use in Japan — and many are easy and cheap. Most buildings in Japan are not insulated against summer heat and winter cold, they rely on electronic heaters and air conditioning units. Instead of building new nuclear plants to cover the nation's energy needs and to cut greenhouse gas emissions, why not invest in better insulation in buildings? Also, many building hallways are illuminated all day and all night long. Why not install movement sensitive sensor switches that automatically turn on lights as many European countries have?

I am a 44-year-old engineer and a company worker. Usually, I read the ST and have a hard time with it, but the special Dec. 5 issue of the Weekly ("COP15 Special") contained many technical articles. The stories in the COP15 issue of the Weekly were much easier for me to understand than similar stories published in Japanese newspapers. Because of this I have a strong motivation to subscribe to the Weekly, but compared to the ST, the Weekly has fewer entertaining stories, cartoons and crossword puzzles.

I'd like to see a crossword puzzle or a cartoon like Luann in the Weekly for readers of my English ability (my English level is somewhere between the ST and The Japan Times daily paper). Please consider publishing a crossword puzzle of medium difficulty for readers like me.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 19, 2009
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