One degree

Never mind nuclear power, wind power, clean coal, carbon trading and the rest. These may all have a role in preventing climate change in coming years but there's another, simpler way to tackle climate change.

It's estimated that worldwide, buildings account for about forty per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, yet between a fifth and half of energy used in buildings is simply wasted through inefficiencies such as poor insulation or excess lighting.

That's a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, then, simply being pumped into the atmosphere for no good reason.

It also means we can make a real contribution to tackling climate change just by being smarter about the way we use energy in our homes and offices.

Once you start thinking about it, you can come up with hundreds of ways to save energy, many as simple as flicking a switch. And not only will it help prevent climate change, but being energy-smart will also save you money by reducing your electricity and gas bills.

We can also easily reduce the amount of energy we use for things such as hot water, which accounts for 15 per cent of energy in Australian homes.

Facts

• Australians have the highest greenhouse gas emissions per person in the world.
• Each year the average Australian household generates 14 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
• 95 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from burning fossil fuels.

Tips

• Fit compact flourescent lightbulbs - they pay for themselves in a year, last up to 10 times longer than conventional bulbs and save more than 66 per cent in lighting costs during their lifetime.
• Fit draft excluders to drafty windows and doors.
• Shut doors so you only heat or cool the rooms you are using.
• Turn off appliances at the wall when you're not using them - standby uses five per cent of household energy.
• In winter, turn down heating and put on a jumper instead.
• Install solar hot water - it will give you free, and carbon-free, hot water and pay for itself in a few years.