Monday’s Climate Change Emergency Declaration by Chatham-Kent Council is being hailed by grassroots group, Zero Waste CK.

Spokesperson Simon Swanek say it’s an important moment.

“We’re really happy with the outcome, it’s what we were hoping for,” Swanek says. “I think moving forward this is going to mean we’re going to be able to look at any issue that we face in the municipality with the idea of sustainability and the environment in mind, which we should be.”

Swanek and fellow group member Reanne Rekker made a deputation prior to Monday night’s climate emergency debate.

“We’re elated, this is exactly what we wanted to happen for sure,” Rekker says.

She says with a diverse group of community members, Zero Waste CK is offering its assistance to the municipality as the process of reviewing and crafting policy unfolds.