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![Nozzle with warning label]()
Our Campaign
Our Horizon is a registered non-profit organization that empowers people and communities to change the world. Our first campaign is a globally unprecedented approach to climate change: we want to put warning labels on gas pump nozzles just like those on cigarette packages.
We're asking municipalities across Canada to use their licensing powers to pass our idea into law. We have a game plan to take it global from there. It's time to get real about climate change. It's time to #FaceTheChange.
Our Story
Founder and Executive Director Rob Shirkey has been concerned about climate change for all his life. When Rob's grandfather passed away last summer, his final words to him were "Do what you love." He left Rob a small sum of money that he used to launch Our Horizon in January of 2013. Since then, Rob has funded almost the entire project out of his own pocket and now needs your support.
The Cross-Canada Tour
We have conducted workshops at schools in Toronto for students to express their climate change concerns by designing their own warning labels. We also inspire participants to use their voices to make our idea real; we now have a growing list of youth who have committed to speak at Toronto City Hall when our motion is debated.
![Student drawing warning label]()
We are taking our workshops from coast to coast this fall. Our objective is to inspire youth and give them the tools they need to advocate for the idea in their own communities. In the end, youth will inspire youth: every person that does a speech to their representatives at their City Hall and shares it on YouTube will be a hero. They will receive a Climate Change Champion medal from us in recognition of their courage.
![Image of Climate Change Champion]()
We have hired a full-time tour coordinator and have a database with the contact information of every single elementary school, high school and environmentally-minded university club in Canada. It's going to be a lot of work but we're dedicated to making this happen.
The Warning Labels
Our use of fossil fuels has dangerously altered the basic chemistry of our planet. Addressing climate change is the greatest challenge of our time.
![Warning label: Asthma]()
The labels show the effects of climate change right in the palm of your hand. They are a catalyst. Our idea will cause some individuals to change their behaviour but, more importantly, they will result in a shift in our collective demand to allow for real action on climate change.
![Rob doing talk at Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto]()
Your Contribution
Citizens in countries all over the world have been cognitively primed for our idea with the warning labels already on tobacco packages. The first communities to pass our by-law will set a precedent for the world to follow. This campaign is the first step in our larger vision of putting these labels on gas pumps all over the world.
Your contribution can help make this happen. With this campaign, you have the opportunity to change the course of human history. The best perk of all isn't the stuff listed to the right, it's this: you will get to tell your children and grandchildren that your contribution helped change the world.
![Students designing their own warning labels at our workshop]()
Thank you for your support!
![FaceTheChange hashtag]()
CANADA'S CLIMATE CHANGE HEROES CUP
![Canada's Climate Change Heroes Cup]()
We're taking Canada's Climate Change Heroes Cup with us from coast to coast. The first communities to pass our by-law will be making world history. They will be global leaders in the most challenging fight of our times and will forever be remembered on Canada's Climate Change Heroes Cup.
VIDEOS
#FaceTheChange: Please watch our promo video and go to OurHorizon.Org to contact your councillor. Together, we can face climate change.
INTERVIEW WITH ROB: Michelle just joined the Our Horizon Team and had a bunch of questions for her new boss Rob. Please enjoy this candid interview that explores the theory, impact and vision behind our campaign.
PECHA KUCHA TALK: Rob was invited by PechaKucha to deliver a talk using their "20 Images x 20 Seconds" format. The video explains the journey and theory behind Our Horizon’s unique approach to addressing climate change.
MEDIA COVERAGE
UPWORTHY: "Our Earth's ecosystem is like a giant set of lungs, and we're all guilty of filling it with second-hand smoke. Luckily, we humans already figured out an effective way to help ourselves change our habits. Check out one genius proposal..."
The Warning Label That We Never Knew We Needed Until We Saw It. September 6, 2013.
GUELPH MERCURY: "It is kids that are going to inherit the earth and you can't sell an idea on research alone," says Shirkey. "That only appeals to intellect. You've got to appeal to the heart too." Shirkey plans to appeal to the hearts of municipal committee members by packing the room full of students."
Guelph targeted by environmental groups for gas pump warning label workshops. September 6, 2013.
DESMOG CANADA: "A wiry presence even over Skype, Shirkey speaks at breakneck pace with a lawyer’s clarity and the energy of a children’s entertainer. He is beyond earnest… Now he’s decided to take that enthusiasm on the road. On September 14, he leaves for a cross-country tour of schools."
Warning labels on gas pumps connect consumers and climate change. September 5, 2013.
MONGABAY: "Denial or ignorance means we get to avoid the problem, but it's an ineffective strategy. The problem is only going to get worse the longer we ignore it. Our labels force us to face the reality of what we're up against. After all, if we can't even honestly face our problem, what hope do we have in actually addressing it?"
Organization proposes climate change warning labels at the gas pump. September 5, 2013.
THE HUFFINGTON POST: "Our warning labels compress time to mitigate the effects of the current moment bias. They bring future consequences -- like drought, the extinction of species, and ocean acidification -- into the here and now. In doing so, they build feedback to help us transition from a maladaptive economy to an adaptive one."
Warning Labels and the Psychology of Climate Change. September 4, 2013.
MUNICIPAL WORLD: "Here’s a great new idea for municipal action on climate change: warning labels! Assuming that labels would reduce GHG emissions, can municipalities do this? We think it’s worth a try." [Article by Dianne Saxe, one of the world's leading environmental lawyers].
Can municipalities require climate warning labels on gasoline? September 3, 2013.
ERICKSON COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL: "It is Rob’s vision to create similar warning labels to be placed on gas (petrol) pumps throughout Canada, the United States, and ultimately the world"
Face The Change: An Erickson Graduate's Aim To Raise Awareness of Climate Change. August 28, 2013.
THE HUFFINGTON POST: Adam Smith Called: He Wants Warning Labels on Gas Pumps. August 22, 2013. (Article by Executive Director Rob Shirkey)
THE WILD MAGAZINE: What If a Simple Sticker Could Change the World? (Original interview only available in the USA; an international copy has been posted here). August 20, 2013.
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS NETWORK: Warning labels for gasoline pumps? August 20, 2013.
THE HUFFINGTON POST: Want to stop climate change, tar sands, and pipelines? Throw an intervention. August 14, 2013 (Article by Executive Director Rob Shirkey)
THE NATION: Warning: This Gasoline Is Hazardous to Your Planet. August 9, 2013.
DEUTSCHE WELLE: Gas warning labels could help reduce emissions. July 1, 2013.
THE CORD COMMUNITY EDITION: Climate Game Change. July 5, 2013.
THE RECORD: Environmental group calls for warning labels on gas pumps. June 14, 2013.
ADBUSTERS: This machine causes global warming. May 9, 2013.
TRIPLE PUNDIT: Canadian lawyer wants climate change warning labels on gas pumps. April 25, 2013.
TREE HUGGER: Health warning labels proposed for gas pump nozzles. April 15, 2013.
MACLEAN'S: Group concerned about climate change proposes warning labels for gas nozzles. April 4, 2013.
GOOD NEWS TORONTO: Local environmentalist advocates warning labels for climate change. April 1, 2013.
TORONTO STAR: Is guilt the path to serious climate action? February 22, 2013.
RADIO INTERVIEWS
TERRA INFORMA: Terra Informa interviews Rob on a segment for their environmental program. The interview starts at minute 2:00 and ends at 8:30. June 30, 2013.
GARY DOYLE SHOW: Gary Doyle interviews Rob on his news talk program on 570 AM News, Kitchener-Waterloo. June 14, 2013.
HUMBER RADIO: Kevin Sexton interviews Rob for Humber Radio on 96.9 FM, Toronto. May 17, 2013.
THE GREEN MAJORITY: Daryn Caister does an in-depth show with Rob entitled "Second Hand Oil" for the Green Majority on CIUT 89.5 FM, Toronto. April 12, 2013.
BILL GOOD SHOW: Bill interviews Rob and takes calls on his news talk show on CKNW AM 980, Vancouver. April 9, 2013.
YORK UNIVERSITY: Eric Robinson interviews Rob on CHRY 105.5FM, Toronto. April 5, 2013.
FRIENDLY FIRE: Ryan Doyle and John Downs interview Rob on Toronto's CFRB Newstalk 1010. April 5, 2013.
MAIL-IN CONTRIBUTIONS
Please use this Indiegogo website for your contributions. If you'd rather make a contribution via cheque, please make it out to "Our Horizon Society" and mail it to: Our Horizon, 432 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, M5A 1T4, CANADA.
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Note on perks: We will make our best efforts to fulfill all perks. If we are unable to fulfill a perk (for example, if a location is too remote to visit or if a speaking event does not align with our values), we will issue a full refund less any processing fees from Indiegogo. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions before making a contribution. Thanks!