Five environmental experts are calling for fossil fuel warning labels, which would be similar to tobacco warning labels, if adopted.

"We propose a low cost, scalable intervention to facilitate change in individuals' and society's views and behavior: warning labels at points of purchase of fossil energy or services dependent on large amounts of fossil fuel, for example at petrol stations, on energy bills, and on airline tickets," they wrote in the op-ed.

Warning labels could combat the abstract nature of climate change and could draw attention to the externalities of fossil fuel usage.

"They sensitive people to the consequences of their actions, representing nudges, designed to encourage users to choose alternatives to fossil fuels, thus increasing demand for zero-carbon renewable energy," the experts wrote.

In North Vancouver, for instance, the Canadian fuel industry added pictorial designs showing biodiversity loss as a result of fossil fuel usage, but emitted all health risks

A grading system according to estimated greenhouse gas emissionsTaking into account the needs of low and middle-income nations, including the potential to use gas as a transitional fuel until zero-carbon alternatives become a viable optionAn initial focus on high-income nations that have disproportionately contributed to emissionsThese labels don't stand in for responsible legislation, and governments should make clear the effects of personal use of fossil fuels—not just hold corporations responsible