Aaron Korbachs
Member-at-large
I am a local teacher who often thinks about what the future generations will think of those who came before them. I think of the burning forests, increasing number of severe weather events, warming winters, extreme temperatures, melting glaciers, and rising sea level they will have to adapt to, by no choice of their own. I also think of the people of the global south who have, are, and will continue to be disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. According to Nelson Next, Nelson’s climate change policy document and a dynamic guide for collaborative action (http://www.nelson.ca/804/Nelson-Next-Climate-Plan), passenger transportation alone accounts for more than 50% of the city’s emissions. Since learning this during my participation in the Nelson Nestlab in 2021, it has been clear to me that the Kootenay Carshare Co-op is an invaluable piece of the puzzle on our cities’ path toward sustainability. The sharing economy is the way of the future in reducing resource consumption, reducing car dependence and its externalities (e.g. pollution, noise, parking problems) and helping those with modest means to live a good life. I strongly believe in the power of community, both in finding solutions to climate change, as well as how we will adapt and survive the climate crisis. As a board member, I aspire to utilize my educational background in Geography and understanding of the socio economics of our town to advise on the growth of the Co-op. I aspire to encourage collective action that demands forward-thinking policy change from our governing bodies, as well as individual change such as carpooling and alternatives to fossil fuel powered vehicles.