I KNOW readers increasingly want to do their bit to help combat climate change and knowing about your carbon footprint is a good way to start.

That's why we have launched a new online CO2 calculator, where people can find out their carbon footprint. The calculator will also suggest the practical steps we can take to cut our emissions and, often, save money as well.

Things we do in our everyday lives have an effect, good or bad, on the environment. And more than 40 per cent of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions come from our homes and travel.

Most of us have become a bit greener already, for example, nearly all of us are into recycling now, but there are lots of other things we can do to reduce our impact on climate change.

Whatever your lifestyle, the Act on CO2 calculator will give you practical pointers about how to cut your emissions, tailored to the way you live.

To check out your carbon footprint, and find out what you can do about it, log onto: www.direct.gov.uk/ actionCO2.

DAVID MILIBAND, Environment Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London.