How It Works
A California carbon label will allow consumers to choose between two comparable products—between Chilean blueberries and California pears, for example — on the basis of their carbon content. A carbon label is designed to give consumers information and, thus, allow them to make more informed choices.
Carbon labels are analogous to existing labels on food products, such as nutritional or certified organic labels. These food labeling policies have changed the way we think about food. Americans today are eating more organic food and less trans fat, even though the only requirement placed on producers was to tell you about the contents of the product they are selling. Before 1994, nutritional information was required only for foods with added nutrients or nutritional benefit claims. These days, however, every food product can be judged on its fat, fiber, or sodium content – allowing all of us to be fully informed about our food choices, if we want to be.
Similarly, a carbon label will spur the reduction of carbon emissions used to provide us with everything from food to furniture. A panel on the back of your bottle of water would tell you how much energy was required to extract the water from the ground, light and heat the production facility, produce the plastic bottle, and transport the finished product to your corner store. Would the extra carbon released for the clean, fresh taste of that European spring water be worth it? Well, that would be your choice. But, at least, you would have the information to decide.
Carbon labels are analogous to existing labels on food products, such as nutritional or certified organic labels. These food labeling policies have changed the way we think about food. Americans today are eating more organic food and less trans fat, even though the only requirement placed on producers was to tell you about the contents of the product they are selling. Before 1994, nutritional information was required only for foods with added nutrients or nutritional benefit claims. These days, however, every food product can be judged on its fat, fiber, or sodium content – allowing all of us to be fully informed about our food choices, if we want to be.
Similarly, a carbon label will spur the reduction of carbon emissions used to provide us with everything from food to furniture. A panel on the back of your bottle of water would tell you how much energy was required to extract the water from the ground, light and heat the production facility, produce the plastic bottle, and transport the finished product to your corner store. Would the extra carbon released for the clean, fresh taste of that European spring water be worth it? Well, that would be your choice. But, at least, you would have the information to decide.