In addition, after a summer of extreme temperatures many farmers and businesses are struggling with drought. With the prospect of hose pipe bans across the country, together with the cost of living crisis, it is a good time to look at what simple, basic steps, we can all take to reduce the impact of climate change in our own homes and gardens, and at the same time attempt to save money on our bills.

The elephant in the room is of course over population, which coupled with mankind’s avaricious use of the world’s finite resources, has resulted in dramatic changes in weather patterns. It is quite clear that the climate is changing across the planet.

At a localized level, we all need to make whatever small contributions we can to limiting and reducing the effects we have on global warming. The easiest place to start is in our own homes.

The two most obvious areas to tackle within the home are the use of the two resources, water and energy or fuel.

Water Use and Consumption in the Home

There are quick wins, which are easy to monitor as many properties in the UK are now on water meters. It is therefore simple to see how much your water use is dropping by a regular examination of the meter.

Shower, rather than bath, and for less time.

Turn the tap off when cleaning your teeth.

Place a small plastic bottle or Hippo bag to displace water in the lavatory cistern to reduce the amount of water needed in each flush, if you do not have a short/long flush cistern.

Use a bowl in the sink.

Save washing up water and throw on garden.

Washing machines, dishwashers – run on the economy settings.

Replace leaking or dripping taps, or the washers.

Water butts on down pipes for watering the garden with watering cans/buckets.

Vehicles- Use a bucket to wash the windscreen, windows and lights only

Eco pee. If you are lucky enough to live in the country, have a pee in the paddock or garden, it will also keep the foxes away!

Energy Use within the Home

For a few, it is possible to live off grid entirely, but for most people gas, electricity and oil are required to heat, light and power appliances in the home.

Reducing use of any of these sources of energy is difficult, not least as we have all come to expect to be able to use resources immediately at the flick of a switch and fairly inexpensively. However, a few steps can be taken to reduce our energy consumption in the home. This in turn helps reduce the bills, and also conserve the resources.

Turn all switches off at the wall when the appliance, from the lamp to the dishwasher, is not in use. Do not leave plugs on standby.

Use cheaper night time electricity - run machines from 12 midnight to 06.00am to benefit from cheaper night time electricity rates.

Washing machines- use less often and make up full loads.

Tumble Driers-  use a washing line/ clothes horse if at all possible instead.

Insulate your home – make improvements to the insulation wherever you can. Install well fitting windows, exclude drafts, and increase or improve roof insulation if you can, especially on older properties. Sheep fleeces are excellent for this purpose.

By taking a few steps we can all do a little bit to make a difference to our bills and to help the environment.