Every day we are hearing more about how climate change is already affecting our planet, endangering species and threatening our future. People have taken to the streets in protest about what they see as a lack of action from the UK government and world powers as part of the Extinction Rebellion movement. But what can we do as individuals to help cut carbon and reduce our impact on the environment? As Scotland looks to adopt an ambitious new target that will end its contribution to global warming within 25 years, here are a few ideas of ways you can make a difference across the UK. Top tips Take fewer - or no - flights: Air travel contributes almost a quarter of the average person’s annual emissions. Take a train if possible.Eat less meat, particularly beef and lamb: Cows and sheep emit large quantities of methane, a powerful global warming gas. A vegan diet can cut emissions from food by up to a fifth.Improve the efficiency of heating your home: Modern boilers, good draught-proofing and insulation will cut energy use - and bills.Leave the car and walk: Reducing journeys from 15,000 to 10,000 miles a year will save more than a tonne of carbon dioxide - about 15 per cent of the average person’s emissions. Switching to an electric vehicle will also cut energy use and reduce fossil fuel consumption.Repair and re-use: Keeping tech and domestic appliances in operation longer can reduce the burden on scarce resources and help avoid waste. Switch to low-energy lighting Switch to low-energy lighting: LEDs (light-emitting diodes) have become much cheaper and more effective in recent years and run on less power than halogen lights.Make sure home appliances are energy-efficient: Reducing use of washing machines, tumblers and dishwashers will also cut their climate impact.Consume less: Simply buying less stuff is a good route to a smaller carbon footprint. The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.Buy local: Eating seasonal food and sourcing goods made nearby instead of importing from abroad will save on emissions.Support eco-conscious companies: This will encourage firms to improve their environmental credentials.Switch to green power: Look for a supplier that provides renewable or fossil-free energy and install solar panels if possible.