Readers' Blog: Demoting geography is a backward step we will regret

I am writing to express my concern at the demotion of geography as a core subject at junior cycle. Geography as a subject is now more relevant than ever as people need to be aware of the natural environment and its relevance to the future of our planet and species.

Ireland and the world need its citizens aware and knowledgeable about the key issues of our time. The last 10 years has seen Ireland’s environmental record become one of the worst in Europe, our continent experiencing a migration crisis on its southern border, global inequality on the rise, natural disasters becoming more extreme (flooding, drought, stronger weather events), a loss in biodiversity, global warming increasing rapidly, deforestation continue, an urban planning crisis due to lack of housing and services, increased traffic congestion due to urban sprawl, pollution due to microplastics in our oceans and many more issues.