Sir, – Dr Peter E Childs (Letters, October 5th) makes some valid points about the nature of science education and the potential for an environmental science course at Leaving Certificate level. However, I note the proposal from the Government report on senior cycle reform he refers to is for a course on climate action and sustainable development. Such a course would have a much broader scope than science alone, as climate action (as opposed to climate science) relates to such topics as environmental policy, planning, construction technology, energy systems, sociology, and geopolitics.
To fully understand the low-carbon transition that will be a major challenge during the lifetime of current Leaving Cert students, an understanding of climate science needs to be accompanied by an understanding of the processes of climate mitigation and adaptation. This will equip students to participate in the social and technological changes associated with climate change. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN WALL,
Rialto,
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