LOHAUS Shanghai suggests using LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs for energy savings of up to 80 percent.

- Buy local fruit and vegetables in season and avoid imported items to help reduce China's carbon footprint by encouraging fewer international cargo deliveries.

- Switch over to car-sharing (Car2Go in the Netherlands, ZT Zuche in China), apartment-sharing (Airbnb) and even meal-sharing services.

- Don't buy so much stuff. Instead, rent, borrow, renew and reuse.

- Have more indoor plants, especially those on NASA's list, which are not only space-exploration-friendly but especially good at removing toxins.

- Use more air filters at home if you live in a polluted city. Buy a DIY kit online and use generic filter cartridges to cut costs.

- Be careful of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in new furniture and paints. Buy used furniture made of sustainable materials. Use paints rated as healthy for indoor use.

- Use as much insulation as you can for floors, carpets, roofs and walls as these can be useful in both winter and summer. Don't forget to seal any leaks around ducts, window frames, doors and other openings to make them weatherproof.

- Replace incandescent bulbs with new LED light bulbs for energy savings of up to 80 percent.

- Switch to energy-efficient appliances, especially refrigerators, air-conditioners and heaters.

- Buy clean energy if it is offered by your power utility. Install rooftop solar panels or small wind turbines.

- Reject suburban lifestyle options that require long, carbon-intensive commutes. Opt to live in an urban center and help to make it better for everyone.

- Live close to your workplace to save time, energy and money getting to and from the office. Having a small office at home is a great idea for those who can work independently.

- Walk and bike more to boost carbon savings and keep in shape.

- Use energy efficient transport - subways, trains, buses, carpooling - for medium distances.

- For long distances, use high-speed trains or offset your air travel by buying carbon credits.

Information culled from LOHAUS Shanghai