Dario Cimolai

Council · Nelson

Nelson 30 yrs

About

I have lived and worked in the Nelson area since 1994. I have been employed as an electrician,teacher at Selkirk College and started a small cafe. I’ve co-parented two children. Together we have enjoyed our beautiful city.

Policy commitments

Buildings

We all want healthy, affordable, and comfortable homes. These policies will help to lower energy bills, cut pollution, and improve indoor air quality.

✓ Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security. Supportive

✓ Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings. Supportive

✓ Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events. Supportive

Climate Justice

Our community is already experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, and taxpayers are on the hook to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure.

✓ Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters. Supportive

✓ Collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in the stewardship of the land, air, and water, and work towards reconciliation. Supportive

Ecosystems

The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all rely on healthy ecosystems. Nature can also help protect our community from extreme weather by controlling floods, protecting shorelines, and cooling neighbourhoods. Access to nature improves the health and well-being of residents, and supports biodiversity.

✓ Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater. Supportive

Land Use

We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.

✓ Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience. Supportive

✓ Increase food security by supporting local agriculture and community gardens. Supportive

Transport

Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).

✓ Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities. Supportive

✓ Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone. Supportive

✓ Expand EV charging infrastructure. Supportive

Watersheds

Climate change, increasing populations, and overconsumption threaten our water security. Healthy watersheds and forests are critical to support clean drinking water, stormwater management, climate resilience, and biodiversity for future generations.

✓ Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure. Supportive

Zero Waste

Zero waste policies reduce pollution, keep waste out of landfills, build resilient local economies, and safeguard public health by shifting society away from a disposable culture toward a sustainable circular economy.

✓ Implement zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal. Supportive

✓ Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience. Supportive

✓ Supportive

~ Neutral

× Opposed

– No response

Climate action

How have you contributed to climate action in your community through advocacy, past work, advisory committees, volunteer work, and/or reducing your personal carbon footprint?

In my past as a tree planter, I’ve planted approximately 900,000 trees, possibly 1 million.
I’m a tireless recycler. At work with Nelson Hydro I started an electronics recycling program. Small but effective. I typically buy used, new only when required. I buy local food whenever possible.

Questions for Nelson

In 2020, Nelson Council adopted the Nelson Next Climate Action Plan. How will you set timelines for implementing the plan and ensure they move forward this term?

Advocate to continue with the plan and set goals to reach.

How will you advocate for better public transit (frequency, coverage, fares), both locally and intercity, including working with other levels of government?

Continue to support the City of Nelson’s success at operating and managing local and regional transit. And advocate for improvement for routes where demand requires.

What policies will you implement to reduce the health risks of dangerous outdoor and indoor summer heat and poor air quality, particularly for renters, low-income households, and children attending outdoor summer day camps?

Encourage planting of more trees to reduce heat islands, creation of cooling centers and partnering with the provincial government programs.

Some municipality-owned utilities in Canada, like Summerside in PEI, are investing in solar, wind and batteries. As electricity demand increases, how would you support Nelson Hydro diversifying its generation to include other renewable sources?

Encourage Nelson Hydro to promote the use of battery systems together with time of use billing to reduce demand charges from Fortis due to peak power use. Partnering with Nelson Hydro customers would lower Nelson Hydro corporate borrowing costs and provide oppportunities to consumers to lower their electricity charges. VPP networks like this are in use in many countries and benefit consumers and electricity providers.

Natural spaces improve human health, biodiversity, and mitigating extreme weather like heat and flooding. What can you do to ensure the City prioritizes preserving natural areas, green space, and the lakeshore?

Advocate to council to strengthen the west waterfront plan and other green space opportunities.

If you wish to clarify or add information you may use this space.

In my mind, I believe conservation is the key to preserving our planet. We can achieve the same comforts by choosing to consume less.
One example would be to use more insulation in homes rather than buying expensive heat pumps.
Technology isn’t always the answer,keeping things simple quite often is. Passive cooling such as shade trees can achieve the same effects as air-conditioning.

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by West Kootenay Climate Hub, registered sponsor under LECFA, wkclimatehub@gmail.com

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

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