Global warming is already taking its toll on the planet, bringing not just higher temperatures but an increase in extreme weather events across the world. While it’s crucial to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible, scientists predict that even just 0.5°C (0.9°F) further warming could have a drastic impact on our lives. As International Mother Earth Day takes place on 22 April, we reveal some of the things that you can do to protect yourself and the planet, from the commonplace to the slightly more bizarre…

As weather is set to become more unpredictable, with the likelihood of more heatwaves and cold snaps, it’s wise to protect your home by installing high-quality insulation. It’ll keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and mean that you will use less energy. Plus it can help to slash your energy bills.

During periods of hot weather, sunlight can drastically raise the temperature indoors, making it harder to escape the stifling heat and reducing the effectiveness of your air conditioning. Confront the issue by putting in some blinds to control temperature. 

If you’re in the position to renovate or rebuild, using light-coloured materials is a simple yet extremely effective way to beat the heat. Opting for a white granulated roof can reflect up to 96% of sunlight, while applying metallic coloured paint to the inside of your roof deck can block up to 75% of heat coming in.  

Sometimes there’s nothing better than a long, steamy shower. But with heatwaves on the rise, hosepipe/sprinkler bans may become commonplace. Knock minutes off your showers by switching to cold water (great for boosting circulation and alertness), timing yourself or using a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Plus you’ll reduce energy usage and save on your bills in the meantime.

If you've been putting off getting a leak looked at, climate change is probably a better reason than any other to fix the drip. Astonishingly, a leaky tap can account for more than 60 litres of water wastage a week, which is bad news if you live in an area that’s prone to drought. Be sure to always turn off taps fully and fix any dripping taps to save on water usage.

It might sound like a no-brainer but reviewing your home insurance policy can allow you to be resilient against climate change. Get familiar with the impacts in your area – whether that’s drought, cold spells or flooding – and ensure that your policy protects you against those events.

If you live in a flood-prone area, covering large parts of your garden in non-porous tarmac won’t be doing you any favours. Opt for grass instead, or use mulch, pebbles, gravel or chipped bark to prevent moisture loss and improve drainage.

This might sound like contradictory advice, but the benefits of having trees depend on where you live. For areas with frequent high winds, getting rid of trees near your home could reduce your risk if there’s a hurricane. Conversely, in inner-city areas, trees can absorb harmful carbon dioxide and keep the air cleaner, protecting your overall health against pollution.

If a hurricane does strike, one of the biggest risks can be debris entering through windows. However, you could install a range of specially-designed window shutters, which are often reinforced with aluminium or steel, to prevent this.

Sheds and outbuildings can also be at risk in times of high wind, but with good reinforcement it’s possible to protect them. Consider using concrete piers, cables or straps to anchor the structure down and keep your belongings safe.

There’s only so much that can realistically be done to protect against the devastating impacts of fire, but certain measures might be able to reduce the damages. Install a sprinkler system in your garden and consider using fire-resistant materials where possible.

Last summer, shortages of key staples like potatoes and lettuce affected swathes of Europe. We can only expect this to worsen – agricultural experts say that extreme weather events are hard to prepare for, as it’s not simply a case of developing drought-resistant crops. Learning to grow some food crops in your garden is a good way to deal with future shortages and lower your costs.

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If getting green-fingered isn’t for you, develop a taste for foods that can withstand extreme conditions. For example, watercress fares far better than lettuce in hot, dry conditions, because it relies on stable underground aquifers to grow, which keep the crop cool. Get used to eating these alternatives and encourage others to do so.

You don’t need to go all-out survival school but learning about a few key edible plants in your local area is a good thing to do. Be sure to get hold of a good foraging book and learn what not to eat before you head into the woods…

This is another drastic one, but if you live in a low-lying coastal area and don’t fancy your chances against rising sea levels, the decision to move home may be one you have to make eventually. Consider moving to a higher-up, hilly area with better drainage to reduce your chance of being affected by floods.

In extreme weather, vulnerable members of your community may appreciate extra help, so be aware of them and be ready to help when the time comes. You’ll also appreciate having support networks in times of crisis, so it’s mutually beneficial.

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According to a report by the American Psychological Association, there was a link between climate change and increased feelings of anger, fear, powerlessness and exhaustion. It’s unsurprising given it’s already had damaging impacts on our world, many of which are being felt close to home. One way to tackle the problem is to try to connect with your community and share your feelings with others.

Some people are taking the extreme decision not to have children. One reason is because they don’t want them to grow up in a climate change-stricken world. While others are choosing to stay child-free to reduce the strain on the world's resources: having one fewer child will reduce the release of carbon dioxide by 58.6 tonnes every year. For others the solution is to educate their offspring on the impacts of climate change, so they can help tackle it. While it’s true that fewer people on the earth would mean lower emissions, it’s a decision few are prepared to take…

You guessed it – the best way of dealing with global warming is to stop it happening in the first place. While it might be impossible to stop it completely, but it is possible to reduce the effects – through small, incremental changes like walking to work, flying less and eating less meat. Get your friends and family on board and see which changes you can make.

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