The issues of global warming, finite energy supplies and rising fuel costs have been hitting world headlines for some time now. Indeed, as people recognise the detrimental effect carbon dioxide (CO2) is having on the earth's atmosphere, as well as the fact that supplies of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas are limited, there has been a move to find alternative ways of producing greener energy.

There has also been a big drive to encourage people to reduce energy consumption in the home. For example, turning down the thermostat by just one degree on radiators can save an enormous amount of energy, as well as help to reduce fuel bills by up to ten percent.

Ensuring all windows, doors and walls are properly insulated will additionally work to lessen the amount of wasted energy, whilst remembering to unplug a mobile phone charger can significantly decrease the amount of CO2 released into the environment: figures estimate that more than £60 million of electricity is used, and a quarter of a million tonnes of CO2 is produced through people not unplugging their chargers.

Switching to green energy, however, is one of the best ways people can help to reduce their carbon footprint and save money. As opposed to producing electricity from burning fossil fuels - most of the UK's electricity is currently created in this manner - green energy looks to harness the power of natural sources, like the sun, wind and water. The advantage of these energy sources over the traditional ones is that they're renewable and have little effect on the environment.

Solar power is one of the most popular renewable energy options. Harnessing the power of the sun, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are used to convert its light into electricity: this can even be done on cloudy days. Once the panel is installed, it requires little maintenance, emits almost no sound and should last for around forty years. And, when held against the rising costs of fuels, it's a cheaper energy option, as well as being far more environmentally-friendly.

Wind turbines are another accessible green energy choice. Technology in this field has rapidly advanced over the years and it's now possible to install mini wind turbines, either on the roof of a house or mounted on a pole. The electricity generated is fed into a generator, which is then connected to the house's electricity supply. If excess energy is produced, it's even possible to sell it back to the power companies.

There are a number of ways people can reduce their CO2 emissions and embrace the green revolution. A great way is to start by looking at how electricity is used in the home and seeing where and how changes can be made. Due to the finite nature of traditional energy sources, this is an issue that has to be addressed and in doing so earlier rather than later, people can help both the environment and their wallets.

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