Leksaker - Barn - Klimatförändring

Being interested in climate change and reading various articles, I was wondering what kind of relation there is (which must be) between the toy industry and climate change. I am confident, when we buy toys for our children, we do not think much, if at all, about the impact the toys have on our climate. As climate aware consumers, we look for advices/ways on how our choices can have as little impact on climate change as possible and rarely one can read that toys can make a difference too. Well, it does!


Based on the research by the “Climate Counts” NGO, producers of toys and kids equipment do NOT, or very little, really care about our children’s future – or, more precisely, about climate change. Since beginning of its work in 2007, the “Climate Counts” organization has been researching/scoring 106 companies across 13 different sectors, and the toy and children’s equipment sector scored the absolutely lowest! None of toy companies scored more than 40 (out of 100), and eight companies scored zero.

The survey took into account 22 criteria that measure a company’s efforts to address its climate footprint, reduce emissions, support (or block) progress on climate legislation and communicate climate change efforts clearly to consumers. Just as an example, Hasbro scored 40 points, well above its closest rival, Mattel, with 18 points. Lego scored 13 points. All other surveyed companies scored below 4 points...

Maybe this is something we could have in mind when going next time to a toy store? Up to each of us, but after all WE are the one making the choices!
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Play the Planet - MokuZoku

I know, the weather is finally great, we feel-smell-enjoy the beauty of the summer, and here I write about computer games... Well, this computer game seems different, with no intention to glue our kids to the screen, on the contrary, rather to motivate kids to get out and play. Maybe you can check out the MokuZoku site, with your kids on a rainy day? Just an idea, a green and a great one, I think :-)


About the game (from MokuZoku site): “MokuZoku is tackling a growing problem facing childhood development– too much time in front of computer and television screens, and not enough unstructured outdoor play. MokuZoku is revolutionizing how kids learn and play by creating an interactive world where online games motivate kids to get outside and learn about their environment. In doing so, we hope to stimulate a movement back to a simpler, healthier form of play and adventure that extends far beyond their computer. By partaking in our unique hybrid of online gaming and outdoor activity, children develop the connection with nature that is so essential to human mental and physical development.”

MokuZoku has only recently been launched, and more great things are still to be seen on their site. For the kids to be able to participate in outdoor challenges to earn "MokuBerries", an outdoor component will be added to the games, with outdoor gaming gear that provides an access code to the website. This is the main difference to other online children games: MokuZoku game gives an incentive to get out and play, by getting credit for outside activities.

About the company: MokuZoku "parents" are Joshua Baylin and Scott Pardo. The company
is forming partnerships with organizations and companies devoted to sustainability and social action, such as the Pollinator Partnership by donating 10% of its profits to the animals (and their habitats) featured in the MokuZoku games.

The company also volunteers with World Camp, a non-profit organization utilizing education as a tool to empower children in impoverished communities around the world. They traveled to Malawi, Africa to feed over 2,000 schoolchildren and to teach them about issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention, nutrition, gender equality, environmental awareness and human rights. MokuZoku also planted over 1,500 trees in Malawi, based on the points earned by kids playing the game (it added up to one tree planted for every two minutes that kids played the MokuZoku).

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Jorden festivalen

The World Earth Festival : Ecology, Solidarity and Peace. This is about 20 nations at 4 continents who have mobilised and are jointly expressing their engagement for Earth.


Two weeks (12-28 June) of actions, events and festivities to raise awareness about the need to respect and take care of our planet, to promote various local activities and to create a network of solidarity for these kind of actions.

Launched and coordinated by a French association Terralliance, the World Earth Festival is a world mobilisation event during which Activists for Environment Protection and International Solidarity organisations express their engagement for the planet. This world-wide action is a contribution to finding alternative energy solutions and new ways of consumption, more responsible and sustainable.

I have noticed that, unfortunately we/Sweden, are not among the participating countries for this initiative. Hopefully, next time!
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Slutligen färdigflyttade!

Seems like Touffie moved to its new home just in time for the Volvo Ocean Race! The spectacle was just amazing and we felt like in the middle of a high-way... on water! Read more...