The Quezon City government will produce interactive storybooks for the youth and children with disabilities through the Inclusive Climate Action Cities Fund (ICA Fund) administered by the C40 Cities.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said through the ICA Fund, the city will develop a series of “QC Local Climate Action Plan For Kids” books to discuss the solutions and initiatives to address the effects of climate change.
Such would be the inclusive and child-friendly versions of the City’s Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan for 2021 to 2050, she said.
About 45 percent of Quezon City’s household population is composed of young QCitizens, including those who experience limitations and disabilities.
The books will be designed for preschool to high school students, spanning ages 4 to 18, and will be crafted in various versions to accommodate individuals with varying needs and limitations.
“I am proud to join other leading mayors in the world in advancing inclusive and equitable climate action with the support of C40’s new Inclusive Climate Action Fund. In Quezon City, we recognize the need for inclusive and accessible information dissemination that caters to all residents, of all backgrounds, educational attainment, and age groups, to better engage them in our climate action initiatives,” Belmonte said.
The city’s climate actions would be presented in an interactive picture storybook or pop-up book format to cater to the most vulnerable sector including children with disabilities, informal settler families, and out-of-school youth.
The reading materials would be made accessible in braille and audiobook formats, ensuring that children of all abilities and ages can actively engage in climate action.
”This shows our continuing commitment to inclusive climate action for all. This project will help address this priority, putting the needs of the youth and children with disabilities at the forefront of its design and delivery,” the mayor stressed.
Last June 28, the C40 Cities disclosed that Quezon City is among the recipients of the grant, alongside the cities of Bogotá (Colombia), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Los Angeles (USA), Vancouver (Canada), and Warsaw (Poland).