Fintan O’Toole in his article “Shame on us for forcing children to wake us up to climate change” (Opinion & Analysis, March 5th) is right that “there is a need for

humanity to understand and respect the limits of nature”. Climate change is the defining issue of our generation and there is a need for urgent action to reduce global warming.

On reading the article I was struck by the perception that young people taking action on environmental issues is something new. For over 30 years, Eco-Unesco,

Ireland’s environmental youth organisation, has been engaging, educating and empowering young people to take action on environmental issues of concern to them.

These are young people who have been concerned about environmental degradation, including biodiversity loss, overconsumption and climate change.

As educators, we have worked to build their awareness, their confidence and self-esteem so that they can make choices and take an active role in society.