Kindly written and donated by Kelly Forrester, Director at Clear Property

Climate change is real – that’s not up for debate. It’s a fact.

On Monday 26 November, the Met Office released its first major update on climate change in almost 10 years and warned of significant temperature rises in the decades ahead.

The UK Climate Projections provide the most up-to-date assessment of how the climate of the UK may change over the 21st century. Under the highest emissions scenario, summer temperatures could be 5.4C hotter by 2070 – a frightening statistic.

It’s not only temperatures that are rising, but sea levels too along with more extreme weather events leading to flooding and drought. The only way to lower temperatures is to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

The construction industry is a major culprit – it takes over 50 tonnes of CO2 to build an average UK house and at Clear Property Estate Agency in Exeter they want to play their part in reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.

Clear Property has launched a new area to their business of ‘New Homes and Land Acquisition’. The difference to other estate agents is the focus on increasing the number of quality sustainable homes built in Exeter and the South West. High performing, energy efficient homes that are climate ready, healthier to live in and that have a lower carbon footprint.

Kelly Forrester Director, Clear Property explains, “We believe in building a brighter future and are actively educating ourselves and in turn those around us to build a healthier, greener future.  We aim to increase the development of quality sustainable homes and communities, by collaborating with designers and developers who always consider their environment and social responsibility.”

We all have a responsibility to reduce our own carbon footprint. Below are five suggestions of ways you can start reducing it at home.:

1) Change your light bulbs

One of the easiest things to do is to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. It is estimated that fluorescent bulbs use around 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Also don’t forget to turn off lights that aren’t be used.

2) Unplug gadgets & appliances

Many devices continue to consume energy when they are not in use if they are left plugged into a standard electrical socket. Simply unplugging these when they are not in use will not only reduce your carbon footprint but also save you money.

3) Insulate your home

  • Reduce drafts and air leaks by making sure windows close properly and there are no cracks around the panels. Seal drafty areas to retain heat.

4) Reuse and recycle

Recycling takes less energy and effort than having to completely reproduce an item again, for example, you have to drill for oil to make plastic and you have to cut down more trees to make paper. Buy used products, resell items you no longer use and recycle everything you can.

5) Plant a tree

Trees provide shade and oxygen while consuming carbon dioxide. This is a very efficient way to give back to the environment and reduce your carbon footprint.

Northcott Beaton Ltd would like to thank Clear Property for their valuable input – Clear Property is an independent estate agency, located in the heart of Exeter’s beautiful Southernhay region. Winners of the property category in this year’s Exeter Living Awards they are also in the top 20% of estate agents in the UK – highly rated for both sales and lettings in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2018.

www.clearproperty.co