• Find out about climate change by reading, watching TV programmes or searching the web (eg www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/ http://worldwildlife.org/climate/ or www.climateark.org/)

•  Turning the thermostat down on your central heating by 1ºC can save you 10% of your annual fuel bill.

•  Insulate, turn heating down and use hot water sparingly

•  Buy energy efficient appliances. Look at the labels and see how much energy they use. Pay more if necessary. It will save money (and the planet). For energy saving products and grants available, see www.saveenergy.co.uk or call the energy efficiency helpline on 0845 727 7200

•  Switch to a renewable energy supplier (see www.greenprices.com)

•  Get your local schools, colleges and public services to do an energy audit and cut energy use, including transport and heating

•  Put lids on pans when cooking and set a lower flame

•  Avoid buying or using patio heaters, air conditioning and power showers

•  Insulate your home: lagging in your loft is the most cost-effective way of saving energy. Insulating cavity walls can save 30% of heating bills.

•  Use your heating and hot water systems efficiently: install thermostatic radiator valves, set water temperatures to 60º C, turn heating off 30 minutes before you go to bed

•  Don't overheat your home: For every 1º C you reduce the thermostat you save 10% of heating energy. 18º C is the recommended minimum.

•  Draftproof your house (but make sure you have enough ventilation!)

•  Fit solar heating for hot water (grants may be available)

•  Get double or triple glazing and use 'low-e' glass if possible

•  Use energy saving light bulbs: they last longer, save energy and cost less over time

• Save on standby: turn off television and other gadgets at the mains rather than leave them on standby - this can save up to 10% of your electricity bill

•  Washing machines: only wash when you have a full load (4.5-5 kg), ‘hot fill' if possible, and set for 40º C rather than 60º C except for really dirty clothes.

•  Dishwashers: Lower temperatures are better - 55º C uses a third less than 65º C

Switch kettles: gas-hob kettles use half the carbon dioxide emissions of electric kettles, and only heat as much water as you need

Buy home grown and seasonal food. Look at the label - if it has come from far away, its transport has contributed to heating the planet.

• The average household bin contains 30% volume of organic waste. Discounted compost bins are available by ringing: Recycling Action Line on 01225 394041.

• Buy recycled goods and help to promote the market for the materials collected for recycling.

• Repair and reuse things as much as possible, and give unwanted things to charity shops

• Compost your vegetable and garden waste

• Recycle waste as much as possible, but don’t make a special trip driving to the bottle bank!

• Refuse plastic carrier bags, always take your own bag when shopping

• Avoid disposable products as these waste energy

• Buy better quality goods which may cost more but are likely to last longer

• Driving at 50mph instead of 70mph can reduce your fuel consumption by 30%.

• Consider reducing or stopping the number of times you travel by plane. It is not only the most damaging means of travel per mile but it is also associated with long-distance journeys (www.chooseclimate.org/flying)

• Change your travel patterns. Walk or cycle for local trips, use the bus rather than drive, use local shops and services, use local schools, take holidays close to home, get rid of the car or use it a lot less

• Cold engines produce 60% more pollution than when they are warmed up after driving approx. 5 miles; avoid pollution and keep fit – don’t use the car for short journeys.

• Change your driving habits. Drive more slowly (70mph uses 30% more energy than 50mph), use higher gears as soon as traffic conditions allow, don’t run your engine when stationary and service regularly, keep tyre pressures up, check fuel consumption, use air conditioning sparingly.

• Set up a carpool for work, school and home: never travel alone, always share a ride.

• Buy the most fuel efficient car you can.

• Consider getting a gas-powered car (or convert your car to gas), its cheaper to run and emits less CO2, and you may even be able to get a government grant to do it!