So many things we do as part of everyday life can contribute to global warming through the release of carbon into the atmosphere - whether it's boiling a kettle, turning the central heating up in the winter or taking a holiday in the sun.

It is estimated that around 40 per cent of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions come from what we do as individuals.

Here are 10 easy steps to help reduce your own personal and family carbon footprint. They will help you save the environment - and save you money.

1. Shop locally
Buying locally sourced food requires less transportation. It is possible to shop for most items you need in a month for the equivalent food miles of a single bottle of Californian wine. By buying local food, you can cut your carbon footprint by tens of thousands of kgs of CO2 each month.

2. Practice the three R's - reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce what you buy, reuse whatever you have and recycle as much as you can. Take things to charity shops or sell them on eBay. CO2 reduction = 400kgs/year for recycling. Visit www.recyclenow.com for more information.

3. Buy better bulbs
Low energy light bulbs use just 25 per cent of the electricity used by normal bulbs. If every household in the UK replaced just one light bulb, it would equal removing more than 200 000 cars off the road for a whole year. Target high wattage and frequent use bulbs first. Low energy bulbs come in all shapes and fittings and no longer have to take an eternity to light up. CO2 saving = 250 kgs/year per bulb.

4. Save electricity
There are lots of steps to take to save electricity but the most significant is to stop "drawing" of electricity when appliances are off or not in use. They have to be unplugged. Switching off a computer extends its lifetime, contrary to some misconceptions. In the 15 countries of the EU in 2000, the total energy lost to standby in households was estimated at 94 billion kWh, or the equivalent of 12 large nuclear or coal power plants.

5. Heat your home not the sky
Ask your energy provider for a free home energy audit or get in touch with the Energy Saving Trust. Grants are still available for energy saving improvements. Adding draft excluders can save up to 500 kgs of CO2 a year. Insulating your home, servicing your boiler, and installing energy-efficient showerheads can save up to a further tonne a year.

6. Saving hot water
Keep your water-heater thermostat no higher than 120°F. CO2 reduction (for each 10-degree adjustment) = 250 kgs/year. Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket. CO2 reduction = up to 500 kgs/year. Shower instead of bathing. Use cooler washes and fill kettle with just the water you'll need.

7. Choose clean power.
Contact your utility company to switch to green power - it’s often no more expensive. Alternatively solar power is becoming more affordable - especially for hot water if you have a sunny plot. Visit www.diy.com for B and Q solutions!

8. Green up your transport.
Each gallon of fuel you use releases 12 kgs of heat-trapping CO2 into the atmosphere. The best solution is to buy a newer fuel efficient car - they can do 50-70 mpg. More immediate solutions include driving at 50 mph which will save up to 15 per cent more fuel than driving at 70mph, keeping your tyres adequately inflated, regular services, car sharing, taking public transport or walking one day a week, walking for trips less than a mile, emptying the car of unnecessary weight load and carrying weight inside rather than on top. Don't take holidays abroad - planes are the worst culprits in terms of emissions (short haul the very worst). Instead enjoy what the UK has to offer. You'll save money and two tonnes of CO2 over the course of a year for every 10 mpg increase your car or new car manages.

9. Offset your carbon footprint
First, use a carbon footprint calculator (www.carbonfootprint.com) to find out your individual annual carbon dioxide emissions. You’ll be surprised at just how many tonnes you generate and how with just a few of these steps you can significantly reduce this. Then, purchase carbon offsets.

10. Campaign and educate others
Campaign and urge your elected representatives to vote for green policies and implement programs that will combat global warming. Talk to others about changes they can make and carbon impacts. Cut this out and give it to one friend. Buy a green offset gift as a present to get others interested instead of giving them more "stuff".

Calculating your carbon footprint
If you have not already done so you can work out your carbon footprint online by visiting http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk. Answer some very simple questions and you will be able to asses how many tonnes of carbon dioxide your lifestyle is emitting per year.