THE EDITOR, Sir:
IF WE claim to be serious about energy conservation in this time of astronomical fuel prices, why have we not yet reverted to "daylight saving time" which costs nothing, but can save millions of dollars in the cost of electricity generation? Most highly developed countries have instituted this practice (and some are oil producers).
What makes Jamaica, a non-oil producing country, think we can afford not to do likewise? By turning our clocks forward by one hour, we gain one extra hour of daylight since the sun is now rising earlier during the spring and summer months.
Therefore, lights would be turned on generally one hour later in the evening thereby saving one hour's electricity across the country.
Furthermore, we hear advertisements encouraging the purchase of diesel engine vehicles, but is there a concomitant import duty reduction in place? Would this not be the most effective way of encouraging the purchase of these vehicles?
Finally, why do people who should know better continue to wash their vehicles by dousing them with water through hoses rather than using basins, thereby wasting gallons of valuable and expensively produced drinking water?
We too often believe that problems can only be solved by the expenditure of millions of dollars when sometimes the solution lies in simply changing our habits.
Let us continue seeking for ways to 'light our candles' instead of constantly 'cursing the darkness'.
I am, etc.,
PAUL THORBOURNE
College Green,
Hope Pastures
Kingston 6
