Reduce your footprint and change your worldThe world's leaders can sign pieces of paper, but the real power to change the world is in the hands of millions of young people across the planet who can together take small steps to reduce their carbon footprints.

Your carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide you generate each year through travel, energy use, the food you eat, the waste you generate and the products you buy. Here are six easy ways to reduce your personal footprint.

Step 1 - Maximize your power

Remember you have the power to change the future - switch off lights and equipment when not in use, choose low-energy products, turn down the heating and have a quick shower. You could even buy a solar powered charger for your mobile phone. You will never need to plug it into the wall again!

Step 2 - Travel in style

Fed up of asking you mum or dad for a lift, every time you want to go somewhere? Next time you go to visit a friend or pop to the shop, leave the family car at home and walk, skateboard or bike. For longer journeys check out the bus or train. There are often special deals for young people.

You can save fuel, save money, save the planet and get fit as you travel down the street in style! But always travel safely.

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Step 3 - Think before you buy - start a swap shop

Are you bored of your old clothes, your phone, your computer games, but haven't got the cash to replace them? Why not organize a small party and swap stuff with your friends? It's great fun and you could end up with a whole new outfit, a new games collection or even a new guitar!

And It's completely free!

Before you buy a new MP3 player or a new pair of trainers, take a moment to think. Do I really need this? Or is it just because I've seen an advert on TV? Be yourself. Make up your own mind.

When you do buy a new product, take a quick look online to see if there's an eco-friendly, low-energy or fair trade alternative. Some manufacturers are making real efforts to improve the environment - choose their products!

Step 4 - Don't waste your future - reduce, reuse, recycle

Even when you need to buy something new, don't just throw your old products away.

Millions of tonnes of waste is produced every year - and is incinerated or dumped in the ground. We all know we can recycle paper, glass, cans and plastics, but there are now many local facilities all over Europe for recycling furniture, phones, electrical equipment, clothes and more.

By donating your old products you are helping people and saving energy. Even worn out products can be converted into new materials.

Step 5 - Food for thought

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We are all addicted to convenience food. It is so easy to go to the local supermarket and buy a boring frozen pizza and a tub of ice cream - we don't stop to think if there is a better way to eat.

Manufacturing, freezing and transporting food over long distances uses lots of energy. However, fresher and cheaper food is often available in local farmers' markets and shops.

You'll find locally produced meat, bread, dairy products, fruit, vegetables and more. There will be no brands, no freezers, no queues - just lots of tasty food (that hasn't been stored for months and flown hundreds of miles).

And if you fancy a change, why not try a vegetarian meal one day a week? A kilo of meat requires much more energy to produce than a kilo of vegetable protein - so you'll be helping the planet too.

Step 6 - Think global, act local

Small steps you take in your own neighborhood can make a huge impact on the world. For example, you could join the United Nations billion tree campaign.

There are millions of young people in Europe. If each person plants a single tree they will absorb tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in years to come. In hotter countries, trees also provide shade for houses, saving even more energy. Wood is also a great source of sustainable fuel and building materials. When a tree is chopped down, another can be planted.

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