When it comes to living sustainably, energy – how we use it and how we produce it – is key. That’s because the main source of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change is burning fossil fuels. Like the coal and gas we burn in power stations.

And the next time someone tells you on a gloomy winter’s day that global warming might not be such a bad thing just tell them this – climate change will mean Manchester's set to get even wetter, with a third more rain every winter.

So what are the alternatives?

Green Electricity

Green electricity doesn’t produce the greenhouse gases – it’s produced using renewable energy, such as wind power. Anyone in the UK can get green electricity simply by changing to a green supplier. It doesn’t make any difference to the electricity coming out the plug – but it means you are paying your provider to feed renewable energy into the national grid. And it needn’t be any more expensive than your current provider.

Energy Efficiency

The less energy we use overall, the easier it is to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we burn to produce our energy. So make sure you are using energy efficiently.

And of course energy efficiency means you’re saving money while you’re saving the planet.

The best ways to reduce the amount of energy you use is to use low energy-lightbulbs, insulate your house and use energy efficient appliances.

You can contact AfSL for energy saving tips.