There are a whole range of actions that anybody can take to reduce carbon emissions. That is why the Local Government Association has launched a climate change campaign ‘Small Change, Big Difference’, which encourages each sector to ‘do more, seek alternatives and aim to influence public opinion and behaviour’. The message is powerful, but plainly to “be aware and be prepared”. And the LGA’s campaign for adapting to climate change can be simply put into one word – Action: Without it there is little chance of finding a solution. That is why we are looking to even the ‘Fun in Sun’ sensibility of solar power. And showing how even when playing, our next generation can begin to make a difference today.

From classic toys like wooden carousels and miniature racing cars into the more futuristic world of walking robots and crazy chirruping crickets, toymakers have never been so concerned with their contribution to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
Established in 2002, House Electronic Limited is a Norfolk based family run business specialising in online gift solutions that offers its customers a wide range of energy saving and solar powered products. The online store promotes many educational toys ideal for children ages 8 and above, including the Power Car plastic building kit – which moves along its tracks as the sun shines on its solar cell – not only helping to strengthen young minds with a more proactive and educational toy, but also looking to guide their imaginations toward a greener future.

But that’s not to say that House Electronic is the only innovator hoping to help promote the domestic use of solar power. There are hundreds of online toy sellers with thousands of eco friendly products that remain untouched and undiscovered by most of our high street shops. Take the winners of ‘Toy Innovation of 2008’ for instance.
Like the majority of its online peers Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies remains almost unheard of. Apart from its release of the Horizon H-Racer last August (recognised by the Guardian as one of the ‘Top 10 green gadgets’ of 2007) HFC Technologies continues to set an example that by integrating its fuels cells into a range of small and simple applications, the company have been able to continuously evolve towards more complex and higher industrial-grade products. And after being awarded ‘Toy Innovation of 2008’ at the International Toy Fair in Nuremburg earlier this year, soon it will be the kids themselves who show us that anything is possible.

So if it’s futuristic or classic, wooden car or helicopter (or even a solar powered cool cap to help with all that shopping) there are educational and 21st-century alternatives for nearly all of eco junior’s wishes. And if we’re still unaware of ‘what’s out there’ and ‘where to find it’ the message from the LGA and these toymakers working with alternatives is to simply “start looking” – there are solutions

Posted under House & Home, Lifestyle & Fashion, Product Innovations, Renewable Energy