Actions you can take to prevent threat to our natural world

Nov 18 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

CLIMATE change is a massive threat to the natural world we value so much.

Already sea levels are rising, habitats are changing and the delicate balance of nature is being disrupted. Adopting a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle will have benefits for the living world. Saving energy, recycling and reducing your consumption and the amount that you waste will all have an impact. We can all help slow down the effects of climate change – there’s still time. By making some of the following lifestyle choices, you can do your bit to help our struggling environment adapt to the challenges of the future and save money at the same time.

In the Home

Save Energy

Cutting down the energy your home wastes will cut bills and help tackle climate change at the same time. Home energy use is responsible for over a quarter of all emissions of CO2.

Use a microwave rather than a cooker hob

When purchasing a new appliance, check the ratings and choose an energy- efficient one

Turn down your central heating thermostat by one or two degrees; this will reduce your bill by around 10%. Turn off radiators in rooms that are not being used

Always switch off your appliances, do not leave them on stand-by. They are still using energy when plugged in and switched on

Switch to a renewable energy supplier. Details can be found on the internet

Put an insulating jacket on your hot water tank; you could save around £30 a year.

Insulate your loft – recommended thickness is 270mm. This will save both wasted money and energy

Insulate your wall cavities – this could save you around £120 per year on your energy bills

Prevent draughts by installing draught excluders on your exterior doors

Use energy-saving light bulbs. They produce less CO2 and can save up to £60 in electricity over its life time.

Save water

Using energy means that CO2 is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Small changes can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint without making a huge difference to your lifestyle. Many of these top tips can even save you money:

Remember to turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth, shaving or washing up. This can save up to six litres of water per minute

Wait until you have a full load before turning on a washing machine or dishwasher. Two half loads use more water than one full load

When making a cuppa, only fill the kettle with the required amount of water. This will save energy as well as water

Wash your fruit and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running tap. You can then use the water to water plants

Wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hosepipe

Take a shower rather than a bath. You will use about two-thirds less water than you would in a bath.

Recycle

Recycling saves energy, helping to tackle climate change. It’s easy to recycle your household rubbish without too much effort. Reuse and recycle as much as you can. Recycling reduces the demand for raw materials, which means less pressure on the earth’s resources. Recycling will help to reduce your carbon footprint without impacting on your lifestyle.

Put your recycling bin next to your main bin; this will make it easy to put your recyclable items in the right place

Don’t forget about bins in bathrooms and other rooms in the house. It’s not just your kitchen waste that can be recycled

Take your unwanted clothes to a charity shop or clothing bank

Electrical equipment can be recycled. Check if it can be recycled before you throw it away

Mobile phones, printer cartridges, batteries etc, can also be recycled

Give away what you don’t want; when you are finished with something, someone else will probably be able to use it. Give it to charity, sell it or pass it on through a sharing scheme

Buy products made from recycled materials

Try composting at home. This diverts waste from landfill sites and provides a free compost for your garden.

In the garden

To improve your soil, use a natural fertiliser. It’s much better for your garden than chemical alternatives

Make your own compost from garden and household waste

Feed birds, frogs and hedgehogs and in return they will munch their way through the pests in your garden

Light your garden with solar power rather than electric

Grow your own fruit and veg – it tastes much better fresh from the ground and cuts down on the miles your food travels

Collect rainwater in a bucket and use it for your garden or watering indoor plants.

In the car

The more work your engine has to do, the more fuel is burned, therefore the CO2 emissions are higher. You can help reduce the amount of fuel you burn by following some of these tips:

Check and adjust your tyre pressure regularly before you set off on a journey. Under-inflated tyres create more resistance which means your engine has to work harder and uses more fuel

Remove the unnecessary clutter from your boot. This could reduce the amount of work your engine has to do

Switch off the engine if you are likely to be at a standstill for a while. When the engine is idling, you are wasting fuel

Don’t rev the engine, this wastes fuel.

Car share with someone, this will save fuel and money

You can find out what your carbon footprint is, and more simple steps to tackle climate change by going to www.direct.gov.uk

For further information on Natural England visit www.naturalengland.org.uk