When KLO Middle School student Owen Clark found out hesa国际传媒檇 be attending a global leadership conference in Ontarioin April, he wanted to travel there in the most environmentally-friendly way possible and lead by example.

His research quickly led him to rule out taking a plane because it is one of the most carbon-intensive transportation options out there.

He then turned to trains, but realized it would would take too long to travel thousands of kilometres across the country.

Instead, Clark turned to only other reliable way of transportation left - the open road.

The problem was that driving a gasoline powered vehicle wouldnsa国际传媒檛 be environmentally friendly either; thatsa国际传媒檚 when he turned his attention to the idea of renting an electric vehicle.

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sa国际传媒淚 decided to rent a Tesla Model 3, particularly because itsa国际传媒檚 one of the electric cars that can go the furthest on a battery,sa国际传媒� said Clark.

sa国际传媒淭his car can go almost as far as a gas car in terms of mileage.sa国际传媒�

The Tesla Model 3 can travel 518 kilometres on a full battery,

To help cover the $4,500 to rent the car, Clark recently campaign to support his initiative.

sa国际传媒淭he GoFundMe page is going pretty great,sa国际传媒� said Clark.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檝e raised have $1,500 so far. That includes one big $500 donation that we received on Monday, March 10.sa国际传媒�

Clark said he hopes to inspire others to reduce their own carbon footprint when they travel next.

sa国际传媒淲hen people take a lot of short flights or when they have to make a lot of connecting flights, their own carbon footprint can really go up,sa国际传媒� said Clark.

sa国际传媒淭o lower your footprint, you can take a longer vacation instead of a shorter one or just travel locally.sa国际传媒�

Clark said he also hopes to inspire business people to lower their carbon footprint.

sa国际传媒淢ore and more people are now able to do some of their business online,sa国际传媒� said Clark.

sa国际传媒淣ext time yousa国际传媒檙e planning to fly somewhere for a business trip, maybe think of doing a Facetime or Facecall instead.sa国际传媒�

Clark expects the drive to take about five to six days round-trip.

So far, nine people have donated to Clarksa国际传媒檚 fundraiser online.

connor.trembley@kelownacapnews.com
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