Louise Cole

Writer, journalist, owner of White Rose Media Ltd. Author of bestselling series THE DEVIL'S POETRY. Runs about with spaniels so she doesn't turn into a chair.

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@gomw_uk @AlcoSense Thank you so much. What a lovely evening.

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@HMRCcustomers I have been on hold for 50 minutes now waiting for VAT Annual Accounting team. Previously 35 mins waiting for general VAT customer support, who sent me to Ann Acc. Are they actually going to answer the phone or am I wasting my life?

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@TrinityGFrancis @gomw_uk @RoyalAutomobile @IVECO @WillShiers @Comm_Motor Well done!

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@comedyjohnryan @HighwaysEnglan1 @spacecentre John, Loved your set at the CV safety conference. I'm writing it up for National Highways. Could I send you a couple of questions please?

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

#WhatWeAreGratefulFor #5 We’re extremely grateful for our customers, big and small. They work with us in partnership, and we share each others’ challenges and successes. Thanks to all our customers for another successful year.

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

We’re looking for a competent and experienced Contracts Manager to oversee the Fulfilment and Warehousing functions of the business. Sounds like you? Apply now: https://t.co/dn4BL0aVxo

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@malorieblackman If the author was writing a documentary or non-fiction work about 2020, the reviewer may have a point. But it's fiction. Bet most books set in 2020 won't mention 99% of real world events which occurred. So what?

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham I've read lots of reports on the efficiency/carbon density of logistics (for work) and food production (for interest). I guess you have to find as much evidence as you can. Science isn't just about questioning, it's about assembling the best case from the evidence. Thnx to you 2

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham We can calculate both energy costs of food and fossil fuel-based energy and know that mostly fossil fuels are more costly and polluting. In the most developed nations, some food production is also costly, but to all. 2/2

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham It's not an assumption. It's based on science. Yes, food has relatively low energy density, but people eat anyway and most do not directly compensate calories burned in exercise. Most Westerners eat more than they need already. Cars and lifts only burn energy if you use them. 1/2

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham No I do understand that. But energy efficiency only matters because of the cost to a/the planet or b/ the individual. Burning calories from food to move the human body largely has a lower cost to the planet and to the individual (or library, whatever) than fossil fuel

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham And energy efficiency is about lowering pollution. Overall, if we can, people should walk (or cycle) and only use fossil fuel energy if necessary (as for the poster). The minimal food compensation does have a 'cost' but it isn't as high as that of burning fossil fuels.

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham The OP was about whether it was fair to encourage people to walk rather than using electricity. You linked to an article which claimed walking was more polluting than driving on the basis of carbon cost. What then was the relevance of your point to the OP?

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham Is that the thing? I thought the 'thing' was whether active travel was a good public policy to lower carbon emissions and improve air quality? Or have you given up on that discussion?

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham But we need to eat, albeit with carbon friendly choices for production and consumption. We do not, mostly, need to drive short distances. The amount most people eat has little to do with exercise levels. It is a false comparison.

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham You might find some of the government guidance useful. It gives standard calculations for fuel usage, fertilisers etc. https://t.co/VgKeqp5FnC

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham 2/2 Much of their food has lower CO2 intensity, therefore the calories to walk a mile have a much lower CO2 cost overall. Plus petrol cars emit gases which cause many other problems.

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham Avocado and chia are both carbon intensive. However it takes on average 100 calories to walk a mile and 150g of avocado produces 240 calories and 190g of carbon. The petrol to drive a mile is approx 1/30 of a gallon = 363g carbon. Plus people do not live on avocado or chia 1/2

[Louise Cole @LouiseCole44]

@evidencenotfear @macharightnow @cyclingjudy @charliclement_ @CouldBeKel @LibraryofBham Except that's nonsense. The calories replacing the energy of walking a mile, from any source, are NOT equivalent to the energy or environmental impact of the fossil fuels which power a car to travel a mile. If people needed that many calories, we'd all lose weight a lot faster.