• Become more aware: Our actions have an impact on the environment. It is impossible to totally scale down what we do and be aware of everything, but making a start is important. The usual things like recycling your paper and bottles, not using the car if you can walk or cycle and switching off unused lights and heating will make a difference if everyone remembers to do them.
• Politics: Real change can only happen if politicians help put in place the kind of policies and laws that will favour the environment. The only way they will do that is if they know the public are crying out for it. Vote for green issues and candidates who show a real commitment to the environment. Lobby your local and national politicians about issues that you feel strongly about. Don’t forget - politicians are meant to represent your interests.
• Careful consuming If too many people are using too many resources, we need to scale down excesses in consumption. Buy less; buy products with less packaging, buy locally made goods, buy products that have been produced in environmentally sensitive ways (often they are labelled as such). Dolphin-friendly tuna, fair-trade chocolate, sustainably harvested wood, recycled paper and many more products are now more environmentally sensitive.
• Join organisations There are many organisations out there that need help in the form of money, support, campaigners and membership. Some of these organisations have world-wide outreach and the attention of politicians all over the planet, while others are acting to improve your local nature reserve.
• Get environmental work For those people who are really fired up about helping to protect nature, there are plenty of jobs that people can do which really make a difference. From park wardens, to environmental journalism, to local Agenda 21 officers, jobs in the environment can be rewarding as well as making a difference.

For energy saving tips around the home take a look at the Energy Saving Trust website.