Island lifestyle may concentrate the mind upon environmental matters, particularly after the Tsunami disaster, but people living on the Isle of Wight think they are seeing the effects of climate change now.

68% of people on the Isle of Wight say that they are feeling the effects of climate change already and concern about the effects of climate change are top of their environmental issues.

A recent Environment Agency survey questioned people in the South on their environmental habits and opinions.

The survey results are being released just as the Environment Agency launches its annual World Environment Day (WED) campaign. The campaign encourages everyone in the south to make small changes to their lifestyle to help reduce the amount of energy and water being used and waste being produced.

The survey revealed that more people on the Island are concerned about climate change than any other environmental issue. In fact 60% of people questioned put climate change ahead of water pollution (5%), deforestation (7%), urbanisation (2%) or genetically modified crops (1%).

One thing the survey did show up was that most people on the Island could be doing more to reduce their environmental impact. While some 94 per cent of people questioned re-use plastic carrier bags and 84 per cent do some recycling, only 58 per cent compost biodegradable waste.

And only 53 per cent have a water saving device in their toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water used in every flush. Water saving devices for in toilet cisterns are available free of charge from water suppliers.

To make it easier for people to do their bit, the Environment Agency has put together 12 pledges for World Environment Day:

• I will boil only the water I need, rather than filling the kettle every time.
• I will replace two light bulbs in my house with energy saving versions
• I will turn my biodegradable waste into compost for my garden
• I will insulate my loft and hot water tank
• I will reuse plastic bags for my shopping
• I will share my car journeys to work with a colleague, or replace those car journeys with public transport.
• I will switch off my television or computer screen, rather than leave it on stand-by.
• I will take showers instead of baths.
• I will replace one return flight with travel by train.
• I will turn the tap of when I brush my teeth.
• I will switch my household to energy generated from renewable sources.
• I will volunteer for a green project in my local community.

Harvey Bradshaw, Area Manager for the Environment Agency in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "World Environment Day is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to think about their environmental behaviour and do something very simple to improve it. Although people may feel that their contribution won’t have an effect in the great scheme of things we should remember that together, we can make a difference."

Everyone can get involved by making one or more pledges on the Environment Agency website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/WED. Events will be taking place throughout the spring until World Environment Day itself on 5 June. Look out for what’s going on in your area.