“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

These wise words from author Margaret Mead ring so true for Global Citizen. It’s thanks to the movement of thoughtful, committed Global Citizens that we’ve collectively changed the world, mobilizing billions of dollars to impact over a billion lives.

With over 30.4 million actions taken by Global Citizens all around the world over the years, we might not qualify as a “small group” anymore but that’s the power of a movement that crosses borders, time zones, political persuasions, and more. 

Global Citizen brings together activists, world leaders, artists, business leaders, philanthropists, and advocates to deliver a phenomenal show, but most importantly to fight to end extreme poverty. It’s a movement like no other, where activists the likes of Vanessa Nakate can share the same stage as Metallica, united by one very important mission. 

This year, as part of our worldwide campaign calling on world leaders to enact change, we’re heading to New York City’s Central Park and Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana on Sept. 24, with the festival also being broadcast and livestreamed all around the world.

Here are some of the world’s biggest stars joining our call for action and how you can join them. 

1. Mariah Carey Is Calling for an End to the Education Crisis

School and education help realize kids’ dreams of becoming climate-change solving scientists, archaeologists, teachers, nurses, engineers, and more.

But for 222 million children, those dreams are being cut short.

Why? Because across the world, conflict, climate disaster, and humanitarian crises are forcing these kids out of school, all because of circumstances outside their control.

 Mariah Carey is demanding education for all, and so can you. 

2. Metallica Is Asking Us All to Stand Up for Those Most Impacted by Climate Change

One of the most unfair things about climate change is that it is most affecting those who have contributed the least to cause it. 

Africa, for example, is responsible for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions — a minuscule proportion when you consider that the richest 10% of the world’s population are responsible for over half of carbon emissions. Yet, Africa is the most vulnerable region in the world to the changing climate, according to the UN’s Environment Programme.

Increasing temperatures, a surge in natural disasters, locust invasions, floods, and drought are happening right now as a direct result of climate change and they’re threatening all areas of life across the continent. 

Similarly, Pakistan produces less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions but has seen floods that have left a third of the country underwater.

Over 12 years ago, the world’s richest countries — and those most responsible for emissions — promised to deliver $100 billion every year from 2020 to 2025 to climate finance (money to help lower-income countries most affected by climate change adapt to its effects). But they've continuously fallen short of their pledge, saying that the promised funding now likely won't be delivered until 2023. 

Legendary metal band, Metallica, are once again taking to the Global Citizen stage and using their voices to stand up for those most impacted by climate change.

Join their call by sending an email to the G20 Environment and Climate Ministers urging them to adopt concrete plans to phase out fossil fuel subsidies and deliver on the $100 billion per year promise on climate finance.

You can also head to the Global Citizen app to take Metallica’s Climate Justice Hero challenge.

3. Charlie Puth Is Putting the Spotlight on the Hunger Crisis

Globally, 50 million people are on the brink of starvation, a further 345 million face acute food insecurity, and 828 million do not know where their next meal is coming from. The food crisis is no longer about specific countries or regions, it is a worldwide problem.

Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer, Charlie Puth, has long used his platform to raise awareness for global health, stand up against gun violence, and support Global Citizen’s mission to end extreme poverty and its systemic causes.

With Global Citizen Festival 2022 right around the corner, Puth is using his stardom to highlight the global hunger crisis and urging governments to take action now.

4. Billy Porter Is Urging Leaders to Pledge to The Global Fund

The pandemic reversed progress on tackling HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria with dramatic impacts — including an increase in TB deaths for the first time in over a decade, and a fall in HIV testing by 22%.

But there is a solution. Since its inception in 2002, The Global Fund has invested over $53 billion, saving 44 million lives and reducing the combined death rate from the three diseases — HIV, TB, and malaria — by more than half in the countries where it invests.

Award-winning Pose star, Billy Porter, who has spent years working to destigmatize HIV, is now calling on world leaders to pledge big to the Global Fund.

We have the knowledge and tools to save lives from preventable, treatable diseases. What we need now is action and political will. Join the campaign to fight for what counts and call on world leaders to help save lives by signing the petition. 

5. Jonas Brothers Are Asking for Funding to Prevent Famine

From their early activism with the Disney Channel, Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas have been inspiring their fans to care for the planet, health, and equality — and have kept that ball rolling through their pop-rock stardom rollercoaster.

Now they’re calling on US President Joe Biden to mobilize action and funding for those on the brink of starvation. As the world’s largest economy, the US can lead by example by securing the funding needed to prevent famine in the countries on the brink, including Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and South Sudan.

The group also called attention to the millions of kids around the world who are being denied their education because of forces beyond their control. 

You can call on leaders to keep those children’s dreams alive too by making a sign using one of the slogans suggested and uploading a picture of yourself holding it.

6. Rachel Brosnahan Sent a Targeted Message About Education

The actress and Global Citizen ambassador, Rachel Brosnahan, is an outspoken advocate for global education, women's rights, and refugees.

Not one to shy away from activism, Brosnahan has directly asked Samantha Power, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to commit $50 million to support Education Cannot Wait (ECW), a global fund set up to deliver education in emergencies.

You can also take Rachel Brosnahan’s Education Defender challenge now in the Global Citizen app.

7. Bill Nye, the Climate Activist Guy, Is Setting the World a Climate Change Challenge

All over the world, people are using their voices to call attention to the climate crisis. One of those people is Bill Nye — or the Climate Activist Guy as we know him.

From student campaigners pushing their universities to divest from fossil fuels to local activists blocking oil pipelines in their communities, we’ve seen the power of citizens coming together for the sake of our planet.

It just goes to show that everyone, no matter where they live, can use their voice to help fight climate change.

So we teamed up with Bill Nye to give you all the tools you need to rally, petition, and protest for the planet. Get in on the action by downloading the Global Citizen app and taking Bill Nye’s climate challenge.

8. Angélique Kidjo Asked EU Countries to Pay Up on Climate Finance

As we’ve said before, wealthier countries (such as those in the European Union) who are most responsible for global emissions have a responsibility to assist the world’s poorest in addressing the effects of climate change. 

The eclectic four-time Grammy Award-winner from Benin, Angélique Kidjo, took to the Global Citizen Live stage in Paris in 2021. 

This year, Kidjo is joining us again at Global Citizen Festival: NYC but she’s also taking her activism online in the run-up to the festival, asking EU countries to pay up on the climate finance they promised the countries experiencing the consequences of the climate crisis. 

9. Priyanka Chopra Jonas Is Making Gender Equality a Priority

As well as hosting this year's Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, Chopra Jonas called on Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to invest in vulnerable women and girls by giving funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) — the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. 

Spain recently made international headlines for proposed reforms to its law on sexual and reproductive health and the voluntary interruption of pregnancy. 

If passed, the new legislation — which includes expanded abortion rights, comprehensive sex education, paid menstrual leave, and tangible efforts to fight period poverty — will be a victory for those fighting for gender equality and the United Nations’ Global Goal 5. 

But for many around the world, such legislation isn't even on the radar, let alone about to be enshrined in law. 

Some 4.3 billion people of reproductive age will lack at least one essential sexual or reproductive health service throughout their lives.

That’s why we’re calling on Spain, a champion for gender equality, to go even further and stand up for women and girls, not just in Spain but beyond their borders too. 

Sánchez assured Chopra Jonas that Global Citizens "can count on our commitment to invest in vulnerable women and girls and we will continue to support UN organizations." 

He added: "The future is female!" 

Global Citizen Festival is calling on  world leaders, corporations, and philanthropists to do more than they’ve ever done before to End Extreme Poverty NOW. Through our global campaign and with stages in two iconic locations — NYC’s Central Park and Accra’s Black Star Square — we will unite leaders, artists, activists, and Global Citizens around the world on Sept. 24 to achieve an ambitious policy agenda focused on empowering girls and women, taking climate action, breaking systemic barriers, and lifting up activists and advocates. Wherever you are in the world, you can join the campaign and take action right now by downloading the Global Citizen app.

TopicsClimate ChangeGender EqualityGlobal Citizen FestivalEducationAdvocacyHungerRachel BrosnahanClimate ActionTake ActionBill NyeCharlie PuthMetallicaMariah CareyPriyanka Chopra JonasBilly PorterGlobal Citizen AdvocacyAngélique KidjoJonas BrothersGlobal Citizen Festival 2022

Advocacy

Demand Equity

Mariah Carey, Metallica, Charlie Puth & More Are Standing Up for Change. You Can Join Them.

By Tess Lowery