Below are a few simple pieces of advice, which if we all make an effort to do, will help address climate change and protect our environment. They are guided by the general principles of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Turn down the heat

Homes consume around a third of UK energy, mostly for heating and hot water. Try turning down the central heating and wearing another layer or two around the house before reaching to turn up the thermostat when it gets cold.

Update your home

Households are responsible for 27% of the UK's carbon dioxide emission. Consider some home improvements: lofts and cavity-wall insulation, double glazing, modern condensing boilers and low energy light bulbs. It will help reduce emissions and also save you money in the long run! Advice can be found at the Energy Saving Trust website>>

Turn off electronics

Little things can make all the difference: switch off the TV and other electrical appliances at the plug instead of using standby, try and cut down or cut out tumble-drying and fill the kettle with only the water you need.

Cycle or walk to work

Cars are a major soure of carbon dioxide emissions. Driving greener cars can help, but not using the car whenever possible is best. Research public transport links in your area - cycling and walking have the added benefit of keeping you fit.

Carpool

If transport links between home and work aren't great, consider starting a carpool with some colleagues or how about traveling to the supermarket with a friend?

Take the train

Take the train instead of short-haul flights where possible. Traveling by train across Europe can be more relaxing than flying and is often cheaper. Plan a holiday in the UK rather than abroad. There is nothing like Cornwall in the sun or the Highlands covered in snow. As you don't need a plane to get there you reduce your carbon emission footprint.

Support renewables projects

Flying to New York produces as much carbon dioxide as a typical car produces in a year, so it is much better not to fly; if you do you could reduce your impact by paying some money towards renewables projects or tree planting, such as in the SERA Woods. The Carbon Limited website will show how much carbon your flight will emit, on tree will absorb about 1 tonne of CO2 in its lifetime.

Recycle

The amount we recycle in the UK is increasing, but each and every person in the UK still generates over half a tonne of household waste per year. That would fill dustbins stretching to the moon and back! Start a garden compost and recycle everything you can, and take carrier bags when you go shopping rather than getting new ones.

Turn off the tap

Each of us uses an average of 160 litres of water a day, which contributes to increasing number of droughts faced by the UK. Having a shower instead of taking a bath every day can save up to 45 litres. Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth, for every minute it is left running, six litres of water are wasted.

Conserve at the office

At work think about how yo can save energy and recycle - do you recycle your paper? Do you always turn electronic equipment off when it's not in use? Am office wastes £6000 each year by leaving equipment on over weekends and bank holidays.