29 Dec 2023
By Carl Dodd

How to make 2024 a greener year

biodiversity, carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, circular economy, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, food, forest bathing, furniture, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, plastic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, recycling, reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, sustainability, sustainable living, up-cycling, waste less food
A New Year brings a whole host of lifestyle opportunities The New Year gives us all time to reflect on our lifestyles and consider how we can make positive changes for the planet. Green New Year's resolutions not only benefit the environment, but can also lead to a healthier, more sustainable way of life. In this Blog, we'll explore a variety of creative and impactful resolutions for 2024. These are my New Year Resolutions for 2024: 1 - I would like to re-do my Carbon Footprint using the WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator (https://footprint.wwf.org.uk) - and review my Net Zero Carbon…
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05 Dec 2023
By Carl Dodd

How to have a ‘greener’ Christmas

Carl Dodd, Christmas trees, circular economy, creativity, food, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., recycling, reduce carbon footprint, sustainability, sustainable living, up-cycling, waste less food
Have yourself a merry green Christmas... As the festive season approaches, the joy of Christmas often comes hand-in-hand with excess and waste. However, it's entirely possible to enjoy a merry Christmas while being mindful of our impact on the planet. In this Blog, we'll explore creative and eco-friendly ways for us all to have a green and sustainable Christmas. Food preparation Mindful meal planning: Plan your Christmas meals carefully to avoid overbuying. Estimate portion sizes and create shopping lists to minimise food waste. Local and seasonal ingredients: Choose local and seasonal produce. Not only does this support local farmers, but…
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24 Nov 2023
By Carl Dodd

Christmas trees: real vs. fake – which is the more environmentally friendly option?

biodiversity, carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, Christmas trees, forest bathing, low impact, low carbon living, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, plastic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., recycling, reduce carbon footprint, sustainability, sustainable living
The big question... Real Christmas trees may be better for the environment, but, you may be asking, aren't artificial or fake Christmas trees a better option? No, just because they are re-used year after year, it does not mean that they are more sustainable. This is due to the typical rules of sustainability not applying when it comes to the humble Christmas tree. The Christmas tree debate on real vs. artificial (and which benefits the environment more), has been ongoing for decades. The debate is not helped by the fact that artificial Christmas trees can last many years, if they're…
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10 Nov 2023
By Carl Dodd

A breath of fresh air: home ventilation and sustainable living

Carl Dodd, damp, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, heat pumps, housing, KLB – Scottish NZC, mould, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, sustainability, sustainable living
As winter draws in… Although you may feel like closing the curtains tight and shutting all windows to keep the cold air out, this practice could be harming your home - and yourself. It's only natural as the air outside gets colder, to want to cosy-up indoors - but in doing so, we are also in danger of blocking out the fresh air that we need so much. With sustainable living, we often focus on energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly materials. However, one crucial aspect that is sometimes overlooked is home ventilation. The air we breathe within our…
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25 Oct 2023
By Carl Dodd

Heat pumps: all you need to know

Carl Dodd, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, heat pumps, housing, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, sustainability, sustainable living
The heat pump grant With the news that the government's homeowner's heat pump grant has been increased to £7,500, we take a look at why heat pumps lower pollution and energy bills. Heat pumps emit far less pollution than gas boilers and can lower bills, but they are expensive to buy - the government is hoping that the scheme will lower the cost of installing a new heat pump, in line with that of a gas boiler. There are 27 million old gas and oil boilers and the aim is to replace 600,000 a year, but the current rate is…
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03 Oct 2023
By Carl Dodd

It’s never too early to winter-proof your home

Carl Dodd, Droughts, energy efficiency, Floods, furniture, Heatwave, housing, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., recycling, reduce carbon footprint, sustainability, sustainable living, tenants
  The perfect time of the year to plan ahead There are better ways to keep warm than simply turning up the heating. This is PRLs guide to making your home more energy-efficient. Even though we are about to enter another heatwave (in October!) there has never been a better time to make positive, winter-proofing changes. Draughts You need to find out where heat escapes from - and cold air enters. Places that may let in draughts include windows, doors, floorboards, chimneys and loft hatches. Hold a candle near windows, doors and other areas to see if the flame dances…
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22 Sep 2023
By Carl Dodd

Our 2050 net zero target: watered down or more realistic?

carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, peat restoration, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, sustainability
  All change… for now at least As PM Rishi Sunak has recently announced plans to weaken some of the government's green commitments, we take a look at what this means. The new-look plans include a delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, and policies being scrapped that would force landlords to upgrade efficiency in their homes. Even before these latest changes though, the UK was being criticised for falling behind in its efforts to reach "net zero" by 2050. This date marks a key international target intended to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Mr Sunak…
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06 Sep 2023
By Carl Dodd

The many benefits of choosing to live in a tiny home

Carl Dodd, circular economy, energy efficiency, housing, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, sustainability, sustainable living, tiny homes, tiny houses
The draw of tiny home living In an era characterised by environmental concerns, economic realities, and a growing desire for minimalism, the concept of tiny home living has gained remarkable popularity. Tiny homes are compact, efficient living spaces that prioritise functionality, sustainability and a simplified lifestyle. For those considering a shift towards this unique way of living, the benefits extend far beyond the reduced square footage. Embracing sustainable living through tiny homes Sustainability is at the forefront of global consciousness, and tiny homes provide an ideal platform for putting eco-friendly principles into action. Tiny homes inherently have a smaller carbon footprint due…
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24 Aug 2023
By Carl Dodd

Sustainable living: reducing waste by up-cycling old furniture

Carl Dodd, circular economy, creativity, furniture, low impact, low carbon living, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., recycling, reduce carbon footprint, sustainability, sustainable living, up-cycling
Reducing waste in a thoughtful and creative way Up-cycling old furniture is an easy and sustainable way to give your space a fresh look, without breaking the bank, or harming the environment. As our population continues to grow, so does the amount of waste we produce. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce this waste - and help make a difference for the environment. Benefits of sustainable living There are many benefits of sustainable living, but one of the most important is reducing waste. When we up-cycle old furniture, we are giving it a new life and extending its usefulness. This…
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07 Aug 2023
By Carl Dodd

How walking in forests and woods can ease our modern-day stress

biodiversity, Carl Dodd, forest bathing, KLB – Scottish NZC, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku
How Shinrin-yoku can lead us towards a more sustainable and healthy way of living In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments of tranquillity and connection with nature can be challenging. However, the ancient practice of Shinrin-yoku, also known as 'forest bathing', offers a refreshing and rejuvenating solution. Originating from Japan, Shinrin-yoku involves immersing oneself in the peaceful embrace of forests and woodlands to reap numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. So, let's embark on a journey into the heart of nature and discover how Shinrin-yoku can lead us towards a healthier way of life. What is Shinrin-yoku, and…
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