CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (WHDH) - Cambridge has become the first community in America to put health and environmental warning labels on fuel pumps at gas stations in the city.
The bright yellow stickers warn motorists of the dangers associated with burning gasoline, diesel, and ethanol.
“Burning gasoline, diesel and ethanol has major consequences on human health and on the environment including contributing to climate change,” the stickers read.
Earlier this year, the city passed an ordinance requiring the signs be posted at gas station fuel pumps in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
City officials say they hope the signs will remind drivers to think about climate change and hopefully consider non-polluting options.
“The City of Cambridge is working hard with our community to fight climate change,” officials said in a statement. “Since burning fossil fuels to power our automobiles is a big part of the cause, we know that we have to convert to less polluting transportation and replace gasoline and diesel with renewable energy. The gas pump stickers will remind drivers to think about climate change and hopefully consider non-polluting options.”
Even though the color of the signs is hard to miss, some drivers are concerned they may not be seen.
“I didn’t notice it until you pointed it out, so I don’t know how effective that will be,” one woman said as she filled her gas tank.
Massachusetts lost ground in its latest report on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the state remains on track to meet the 2020 requirement of a 25 percent reduction from 1990 emissions levels.
The state hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent from 1990 levels by 2030.
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