When over 120 volunteers gathered at Canarsie Pier on Friday, September 19, they brought more than trash bags and enthusiasm. They brought a shared commitment to environmental action that transformed Brooklyn's waterfront while earning their place at the 2025 Global Citizen Festival.
The beach cleanup represented a key moment in Global Citizen's environmental advocacy: proving that defending the planet requires hands-on action in our own neighborhoods. With gloves on and grabbers in hand, participants spent three hours removing debris from Jamaica Bay's shoreline, documenting pollution patterns, and protecting critical urban habitat.

Every confirmed volunteer earned free tickets to the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on Sept. 27, where Cardi B,  Shakira, Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Camilo and Elyanna will perform alongside announcements of new environmental commitments from world leaders.

Partners in Coastal Protection

The cleanup brought together environmental expertise from multiple organizations committed to protecting New York's waterfront. Global Citizen partnered with the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy, which has spent years maintaining the ecological health of one of the city's most important natural areas. Goodera provided volunteer coordination support, while the American Littoral Society's NY State Beach Cleanup Program ensured scientific rigor in data collection.

The Black Surfing Association and Surfrider NYC contributed specialized knowledge about coastal environmental challenges, connecting the cleanup to broader ocean protection efforts. These partnerships elevated the event beyond simple trash collection into comprehensive environmental advocacy.

Impact Through Action

Volunteers tackled the "Dirty Dozen"—the most common debris items threatening marine ecosystems along shorelines. Working in teams across Canarsie Pier's waterfront, participants systematically collected and documented trash while learning about the connection between land-based pollution and ocean health.

The cleanup timeline struck a balance between efficiency and education. Morning setup led into intensive debris collection, with breaks for hydration and informal environmental education from partner organizations. Afternoon sessions focused on data compilation and reflection on the day's environmental impact.

Corporate volunteer groups organized through Goodera worked alongside individual Global Citizens who registered online. Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC brought mentorship pairs, turning environmental service into intergenerational learning opportunities. The mix of participants created natural conversations about environmental responsibility across different communities.

Global Citizen volunteers came together at Canarise Pier in Brooklyn, New York, on Sept. 19, 2025, for a beach clean-up. Working in teams, they removed debris from Jamaica Bay’s shoreline, equipped with gloves, grabbers, and trash bags, demonstrating their commitment to environmental conservation. Image: Supplied

From Shoreline to Main Stage

The path from Canarsie Pier to Central Park reflects Global Citizen's strategy of connecting grassroots environmental action with high-profile advocacy platforms. Volunteers who spent their Friday morning protecting Jamaica Bay will join 60,000 other Global Citizens at the festival, bringing firsthand experience of environmental stewardship to the broader policy conversations.

This progression from local action to global platform demonstrates how individual environmental choices contribute to systemic change. Festival attendees will include people who have personally removed pollution from New York waterways, creating authentic voices for environmental protection in Global Citizen's advocacy work.

Environmental Education in Action

The cleanup provided real-time learning about urban ecosystem challenges. Participants discovered how debris travels from city streets to waterways, learned to identify invasive species affecting Jamaica Bay, and understood connections between local environmental health and broader climate resilience.

Partner organizations shared expertise throughout the day, explaining how coastal cleanups contribute to scientific understanding of pollution patterns. The American Littoral Society's data collection protocols ensured that volunteer efforts generated useful information for environmental researchers and policymakers.

Continuing the Work

Environmental protection requires sustained effort beyond single events. The Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy offers ongoing volunteer opportunities for participants interested in regular environmental service. Global Citizen provides platforms for continued advocacy on environmental policies affecting communities worldwide.

The beach cleanup created connections between participants that extend beyond the event itself. Volunteers exchanged information about other environmental initiatives, creating networks for continued environmental action across New York City.

Urban Nature, Global Impact

Jamaica Bay represents a critical piece of New York's environmental infrastructure, providing habitat for hundreds of bird species while offering recreation opportunities for urban communities. The cleanup addressed immediate threats to this ecosystem while raising awareness about the ongoing challenges facing urban natural areas.

Climate change intensifies these challenges, making events like the Canarsie Pier cleanup increasingly important for community resilience. Protecting urban ecosystems contributes to broader climate adaptation strategies while providing immediate benefits for local communities.

Building Environmental Community

The diversity of participants — from environmental science students to families introducing children to conservation — created powerful examples of environmental commitment across generations and communities. Seeing neighbors take direct action for environmental protection inspires continued engagement beyond single volunteer events.

Environmental advocacy becomes more effective when grounded in practical experience. Volunteers who have personally witnessed the impacts of pollution on local waterways bring authentic perspectives to broader environmental policy discussions.

Next Steps to Defending the Planet

The success at Canarsie Pier builds momentum for continued environmental action leading up to the Global Citizen Festival. Participants leave with concrete experience of environmental service, connections to ongoing opportunities for engagement, and earned access to Global Citizen's largest annual advocacy event.

When these volunteers gather in Central Park on Sept. 27, they will represent the intersection of local environmental stewardship and global advocacy. Their experience protecting Jamaica Bay contributes to Global Citizen's broader mission of mobilizing citizens for environmental protection worldwide.

The festival will amplify their voices alongside performers and world leaders, demonstrating how grassroots environmental action scales into policy change. From Brooklyn's shoreline to Central Park's main stage, the path runs through citizen engagement and community action.

Ready to defend the planet? Download the Global Citizen app and discover opportunities for environmental action in your community.