Beyond cool. Buy a solar lamp, IKEA donates one
Feb 17th
IKEA goes beyond talking the talk on social responsibility and sustainability. They realize that helping communities and the environment isn’t an event — it’s a process. That”s why they’ve developed a concept of a never ending list of to dos for the environment, local communities and the developing world.
Here’s one example: the beautifully designed solar SUNNAN lamp using LED technology that sells for $19.99. Charge the lamp for 12 hours in the sun and get a full 4 hours of light. The kicker is that for every lamp you buy, IKEA donates a lamp to UNICEF or Save the Children.
Will a solar lamp really make that much difference in a poor community? You bet. In remote regions without electrical infrastructure, many things become impossible after dark. Children’s ability to do homework stops after dusk, for example. Think about what activities you’d need to stop at 7pm because the sun set.
The alternative sources of light for these families is both costly and dangerous. Kerosene consumes up to a quarter of a family’s income. Overturned lamps result in countless deaths and burn injuries a year.
In the West, we banish darkness by the flick of a switch. IKEA’s SUNNAN light program gives families in developing countries this simple capacity we take for granted.
Kathy Sayers is Executive Director of hattrick, an innovative non-profit that makes it easy to show you care. Help a great charity. Make a small change to do your part for the environment. Inspire others. myhattricks.org.

