Sir, – Niall McNamara (April 15th) argues that a Leaving Certificate subject addressing climate change should focus solely on science, rather than promote "climate action ideologues".
The proposed course title “Climate Action and Sustainable Development” recognises that climate mitigation and adaptation are vast subjects that extend far beyond the scientific basis for climate change.
This is recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report, published this year in three volumes, with only the first addressing the scientific basis.
Climate action involves an understanding of politics, sociology, economics, communication, legislation, engineering, planning, and energy systems.
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The low-carbon transition of society will be the greatest challenge and defining issue in the life of any person young enough to be sitting the Leaving Certificate, and justifies a complete subject to address this inevitable and systemic change. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN WALL,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – Niall McNamara is of course right. There is no need for the addition to the Leaving Cert syllabus of a “Climate Action and Sustainable Development” subject.
Unfortunately, the Minister for Education appears not to know that the geography syllabus (Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert) comprehensively covers environmental issues, including the climate crisis.
I propose that the reversal of the Government’s decision to downgrade Junior Cycle geography (which is resulting in more schools no longer offering to teach geography) would be the best way to educate students about environmental issues.
Although it does not sound as attractive as introducing a new Stem subject, it would be a much more effective solution.
Let’s hope common sense prevails. – Yours, etc,
SEAN KEAVNEY,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15