There are lots of simple things you can do right now to reduce the amount of energy we waste. And the great thing is that most of the suggestions below actually save you money as well.

So whether it’s reducing your electric or water bill you’ll be saving money as well as wildlife.

At home

Fit energy saving light bulbs – they come in all shapes and sizes, will last for years, and can reduce your carbon emissions by 38kg every year.

Switch off – by turning off the lights when you leave the room and switching off electricals at the mains, you can significantly cut your energy usage. In standby, some televisions use up to 1/3 of the electricity required for the TV to be on.

Get a water butt – it is estimated that 24,000 litres of water could be saved from a house roof every year in the UK. Your water supplier will often offer water butts at a lower price then available from most stores.

Improve your insulation – around half of the heat loss in a home is through the walls and loft. By improving the insulation and trapping this heat, you can cut your carbon emissions by one tonne every year.

Compost your food waste – this helps to reduce the amount of landfill waste your household produces, and you can also use the compost on your garden.

Make your garden more wildlife friendly – there are lots of simple ways to help wildlife in your garden. See our gardening for wildlife page for more information and some useful hints and tips.

Wash your laundry at 30 ºc – and you’ll save 36kg of CO2 every year

Your lifestyle

Get on your bike – cut down your carbon emissions by leaving the car at home for shorter journeys and using a green method of transport. It is estimated that around 22 per cent of all car journeys that people make are less than one mile, and 42 per cent less than two miles.

Join the Wildlife Trust – support your local wildlife and join us today (link: become a member). We’re working to help Hampshire and the Island’s wildlife, whether on land or in sea, cope with climate change.

At the shops

Cut down on plastic – re-use bags when you take a trip to the shops, and try to avoid items with unnecessary packaging.

Reduce your food miles – read the labels on your food to see where it is sourced from, and try to reduce the environmental impact your food has. This could include buying locally sourced fruit and vegetables that are in season, and only buying fish caught using sustainable methods.