Climate Change and Environment Minister Ian Pearson will today ask people to mark World Environment Day by identifying the one change they can make in their everyday lives to protect the environment and fight climate change.

Mr Pearson has called on people to consider how they interacted with the environment and their impact on the planet - and how they could make a difference.

"Climate change is one of the greatest threats we face today - it threatens our precious environment, our economy, our health and well-being, and the way of life that is so important to us," he said.

"We are already feeling some of the effects of climate change - and that will inevitably increase. But if everyone acts now to help stop climate change, we can avoid its worst effects and reduce the level to which we need to adapt - both here in the UK and the support millions of people around the world will need.

"All around the world today people are being asked what they can do to become more conscious of their effect on the climate. Here in the UK, the Environment Agency is carrying out the biggest survey on climate change ever, asking three questions: the number one thing people are doing to tackle climate change, the one extra thing people could do to tackle climate change, and what's stopping them doing it."

Mr Pearson will also announce that the Government is to hold a second competition for youth Climate Change Champions, young ambassadors from the English regions who communicate climate change across the country.

Defra's www.climatechallenge.gov.uk (link below).

Links...

Government online CO2 calculator which will be launched later this month, and will be available at www.carboncontrol.org.uk .

The Royal Geographical Society, with the Institute of British Geographers, has launched a new website for 11-18 year olds linking to the geography curriculum. www.yourclimateyourlife.org.uk .