Highlighting the link between a product’s consumption and its carbon footprint could potentially alter harmful consumer behavior that contributes to climate change. Similar to how warning labels on cigarettes changed the smoking habits of some users, placing climate change disclosure labels on gas pumps could introduce discomfort that serves as an effective intervention that connects consumers to the dangerous reality of fossil fuels and illuminates the hidden costs of climate change. For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/climate-change-warning-labels-with-robert-shirkey/
For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/climate-change-warning-labels-with-robert-shirkey/
Ethan: Could warning labels help change our perception of fossil fuels? This is Ethan Elkind of Climate Break. Joining me is Rob Shirkey of Our Horizon, a non-profit calling for climate change disclosures to be placed on gas pumps across Canada.
Mr. Shirkey: Picture a sticker that'll say something like: caution or warning, use of this fuel product contributes to climate change, or there could be one that says, contributes to air pollution which may cause: blank. And then you've got your series of say a half dozen labels, and one might speak to respiratory problems from local air pollution, another one might speak to extreme weather or a rise in sea level.
Ethan: While labels alone may not reduce emissions, they could make drivers more aware of the harms of fossil fuels. Shirkey says people often ignore the environmental impact of their driving — these stickers could help connect the dots between oil reservoirs, motor fuel and the greenhouse gasses causing climate change.
Mr. Shirkey: If you close that experiential gap between cause and effect, how might that affect who I'm interested in electing? How might that affect whether I'm likely to pick up my phone and call my local representative and voice support for some climate legislation?
Ethan: At a minimum, these stickers would make tangible our personal contributions to climate change, an acknowledgement that could go a long way in reducing emissions. To get involved in Our Horizon’s campaign for climate change disclosures, and for more climate solutions, visit climatebreak.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.