Living our everyday lives without further damaging the environment is a way of life we should all be trying to achieve. There are simplistic things we can do as a step in the right direction towards a greener way of living. Even the simplest everyday activities can make a real difference to the environment.

At home

Be energy efficient: If you plan on buying a washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher or oven, choose the most energy-efficient model you can afford.

Recycle everything you can't reduce or reuse. Check with your local council or environmental authority to find out what and where you can recycle.

Turn off televisions, videos, stereos and computers when they are not in use - these appliances still use 10-60% of power even when on 'stand by.'

Buy non-polluting green electricity - electricity generated from natural sources such as solar, hydro and wind power - from your utilities company. If they don't sell it, ask them to offer it or look for a power company that does.

Turn your own home into a clean power station by fitting solar panels on the roof of your home. The electricity you generate from this alternative energy source could quickly cover the cost of installation.

In your work

Save paper: How much paper is simply thrown away in your office every day? Reuse paper for scrap and recycle. Print on both sides of a page when possible. Companies can save significant sums on printing costs by publishing reports electronically rather than on paper, and customers have instant access to the report. Use e-mail and websites to market your products. Save money on printed publicity material and postage costs.

Enable the power management function on your computer; contrary to popular belief, screen savers do not save energy.

Out shopping

Think about what you eat: Large-scale agricultural and livestock production can have a significant effect on climate change as well as contribute to land degradation, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Buy organic food: Because organic farming does not use toxic pesticides that often end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, choosing organic products can benefit your health and the environment.

Product packaging is just a waste. What you really want is the thing inside. Less packaging could reduce what you buy – and immediately throw away – by about 10%. This means less waste in landfills, which release large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Don't buy bottled water if you know your tap water is safe to drink. Transporting water from its source to the supermarket is an expensive waste of energy.

In your business

Understand and manage your company's greenhouse gas emissions by preparing annual inventories and setting long-term targets to reduce emissions.

Purchase energy-saving models of office appliances and equipment, such as computers, printers and photocopiers. Not only will this help save energy, but it will save money too.

Make your company carbon neutral: There is much to be done to reduce global warming gases produced by your business.

You can reduce costs and help fight climate change by avoiding unnecessary travel. Instead, try to use alternative options such as email, phone or video conferencing tools and/or organize a Climate Care Day.

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