Fittingly for the daughter of a family who gave their home an energy efficiency overhaul and whose Dad promised the greenest government ever, one of Florence Rose Endellion Cameron's first gifts is an ecologically minded one. Not just an organic cotton babygro, a wooden toy made from sustainable timber or a wind-up-powered mobile – but an acre of rainforest.
The gift came from Frank Field, the Labour MP who was appointed by David Cameron to lead an independent commission into poverty. Field sponsored the spot of Amazon rainforest through the charity Cool Earth, which enables individuals to sponsor plots of rainforest to protect them. The TV gardener Joe Swift and designer Vivienne Westwood are among the charity's fans, but not everyone is so keen: some have called it a form of neo-colonialism. Interestingly, deforestation in Brazil is also currently showing a dramatic decline.
But Matthew Owen, Cool Earth's director, is understandably very pleased. "Frank Field organised an acre of rainforest to be sponsored in the name of David Cameron's new baby as a gift to mark this wonderful occasion," he said. "As the hospital where Samantha Cameron is recovering is on the doorstep of Cool Earth's offices in Cornwall, I delivered the gift in person on behalf of Frank who sent his very best wishes."
Buying presents for newborns is tricky at the best of times (have the parents already got 15 bibs and muslins? Will the parents get sniffy about plastic toys?), but I think Field has made a clever choice with his gift. As well as a hopefully positive ecological impact, as a virtual gift it has impeccable green credentials.
What do you think – did Field get baby Cameron's present right? And what other green baby gifts do you recommend from experience?
• This article was amended on 26 August. It originally said individuals could buy an acre of rainforest.
