According to UNICEF (2019), children’s rights and the state of the environment are not mutually exclusive. In fact, children are one of the most vulnerable sectors to the impacts of climate change. It threatens their life, health, education, and their right to grow in a safe environment. It is estimated that around 503 million children live in areas with high risks of floods and rising sea levels, while 160 million live in areas experiencing drought. But despite these, children are the least heard when it comes to climate-related decisions.
“I am the Change in Climate Change,” an informational activity book on the environment hopes to make a difference. Geared towards six to 12-year-olds, its pages are filled with child-friendly illustrations, age-appropriate language, and interactive activities. The book encourages children to learn about climate change: its definition, causes, and effects. Its suggestions of easy day-to-day practices involve and empower kids by providing climate change education, awareness, and training. Most importantly, the book is a way to increase children’s adaptive capacity, promote environmental stewardship in the community, and raise a generation that’s capable of creating real change.
The book is written by UP Professor of Geology, Dr. Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay featuring artworks by the members of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), the country’s only organization of visual artists for kids. UBS-funded, it is published by the Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS).
"I Am the Change in Climate Change" retails for P350 at www.lookingforjuan.com. Every purchase of this book is matched by a donation to two Filipino kids in disadvantaged communities through the online store’s Buy-1-Donate-2 program, in support of CANVAS’ “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” Campaign.
Launched in 2019, Looking for Juan reimagines the way we shop and consume by shaping a world where every item purchased gives back. With social responsibility at its core, the store was created to promote public appreciation of Philippine art and culture and champion children’s literacy. It is home to CANVAS-published children’s activity books that cover art literacy, children’s rights, data privacy, fake news, what it means to be a Filipino, among others. Some of the award-winning story book titles that it carries include Silim: Prinsesa ng Dilim by Mark Joseph Bacho, Why Words Matter: Why We Read and Why We Write by Butch Dalisay, The Rocking Horse by Becky Bravo, Mga Munting Patak ng Ulan by Jessica Olmedo, Si Ponyang at ang Lihim ng Kuweba by Melvin B. Atole, Ang Anghel ng Santa Ana by Josephine de Dios, and Ang Aklatang Pusa by Eugene Evasco.
For more information about products or partnerships with Looking for Juan, visit www.lookingforjuan.com or contact lookingforjuan.store@gmail.com
