There are lots of exciting and easy ways to be activist and make a big difference to the cause of improving our environment. You can also meet new people, have new experiences and learn new skills at the same time! Here are a few suggestions:

Plant trees for free from your phone

One of the easiest ways to improve the environment with very little effort is to download the apps Ecosia and Treeapp. Ecosia is a web browser like Google and Yahoo. If you use Ecosia, the advert revenue will go towards tree planting around the world. It has been very successful since its launch in 2009 and they have planted 220 million trees. Treeapp requires that you watch a 30 second advertisement and the revenue will go towards their tree planting projects around the world. These apps make it possible to plant hundreds of trees a year with no effort or money involved and this will reduce your carbon footprint by several tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

Make the world a better through your hobbies

There are local community groups springing up around the country. There are voluntary groups such as repair cafes, gardening clubs and tree-planting groups which improve our environment and reduce waste.

Sign petitions and go to protests

Petitions send a powerful sign to politicians about the level of interest and attention the public have certain issues. Pressure groups such as Avaaz, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, regularly have petitions aimed at national governments and international organisations to protect environment from destruction around the world. Extinction Rebellion hold non-violent protests and are currently focusing on local action on local issues around the country.

Change your bank account and pension funds

Make sure your money is not financing the destruction of our planet. Choose to open a bank account with a bank that invest sustainably, such as Triodos, Ecology Building Society and the Co-operative bank. There are pension schemes which choose to not invest in fossil fuels. The best is a scheme with the Royal London Exchange and Aviva. Also visit www.makemymoneymatter.co.uk to campaign and apply pressure on pension funds and banks.