WEST VANCOUVER, Canada – Cities in Canada may be following in California’s footsteps as local politicians introduce laws that would require carbon warning labels on gas station pump nozzles. Beginning this month, stations in San Francisco and Berkley are required to display "climate change warning labels" on all gas pump nozzles.  

Environmental groups are actively lobbying for Canadian municipalities to pass bylaws that would require warning labels on gas station pump nozzles, and politicians who favor the idea compare it to the principle of putting labels on cigarettes to warn of their health effects. Some, who remain in favor of it see it more as a symbolic move than as something that will directly lead to people buying less gas.

West Vancouver is already moving to mandate carbon warning labels on fuel pumps, and others cities may soon follow. While local lawmakers have yet to make a final decision, one possibility is to institute a trial period, where gas stations could voluntarily add the labels to their pumps. If approved, the labels could start showing up before the end of the year.