A non-profit organization is hoping you will be reminded of the effects of climate change every time you gas up your car.
Matt Hulse, the BC campaign director of Our Horizon, approached the directors of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District with a request for its member municipalities to require climate change labelling on all gas pump handles, similar to the warning labels placed on cigarette packages.
“We are hoping the labels will be a tool towards a greener economy,” he told directors. “These labels locate responsibility for climate change in the palm of your hand.”
Hulse added that currently when people buy gas they are not thinking about he impacts of fossil fuels.
He added the labels are an effective and low-cost tool to raise awareness.
“What registers now is the price. You are focused on the money going out of your wallet, but these labels can change that… they can generate some other emotions, dissatisfaction, discomfort and that’s when change arises, when people start feeling uncomfortable and start calling on government and business to do something about alternative transportation solutions.”
The initiative has already received the backing of the municipality of North Vancouver, which passed the label law in June with implementation scheduled for fall.
He said the group will be approaching the Union of B.C. Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian municipalities for support.
Hulse, however, did not leave the meeting with the CSRD’s formal support of the climate change labels or any commitments from member municipalities.
CSRD Chair Rhone Martin thanked Hulse for the Our Horizons presentation, but said the board would discuss the issue at another time and would get back to him with a response at a later date.