Now, we're all familiar with the 'Save The Earth' rah-rah, and if you're not, welcome back, terribly sorry you were locked up in isolation for all those years in Outer Mongolia, but here's the lowdown, just to bring you up to speed - we're fucked.

We've really, really made a mess of things and it looks like the shit's about to hit the fan on a scale never before seen - unless we sort things out.

So this is not just another Save The Endangered cane Rat of Umhlanga Ridge yadda yadda, this one is about something that you can actually do to make a difference. There's still a slim amount of time to slow down the effects of global warming and you - THAT'S YOU, SPARKY - DON'T MAKE LIKE YOU CAN'T READ THIS - can contribute. Don't be complacent - you can't dig your way out of a hole - that's the thinking that got us in this mess in the first place.

Make a difference, it won't cost you a dime. Just do it. Or else the Energy Police will do something nasty to your dinges when they catch you using outdated and inefficient bulbs. But seriously - this affects us all. Stop thinking that it's somebody else's problem, it's not - we're in this together. Unless, of course, you've got a InterGalactic Zoom 3000 and a nice patch on Mars. Oh, you don't? Then pull your finger out.

The first thing you can do is get rid all (yes, ALL) of those 'normal' light bulbs that you use throughout your home and replace them with Compact Fluorescent Energy Saving Bulbs.

I know, they're more expensive. And yes, they do look weird. But what do you want, a charcoal hovel for a planet or an ugly light bulb? You can't have your samoosa and eat it!

The second thing (yes, for this one you may actually have to lift a finger. That'll be the same finger that you've just pulled out of your unmentionable. I don't want to have to mention it again.) is to unplug all your appliances when not using them. Or at least switch them off at the plug so they're not on standby. Yes, the goddamned Playstation too. Or three. I know, I know, it's such a drag but bear with us, would you, it's for the future. You like Dolphins, dontcha? Everybody likes dolphins, they're soooo cute. Well switch the bloody things off, or Bluey here squeaks his last!

Right. And if you've read this far, well done. There's a lot more you can do if you want to know, and there are hundreds of websites that can give you more advice on how to earn brownie points and gold stars for pulling finger. Go forth and make it happen.