Global Citizen Community Center: Addressing Poverty Through Climate Justice Education
Project Summary
The Global Citizen Community Center in Brooklyn engages 1,000 participants in climate justice education aimed at ending extreme poverty by 2030, featuring a planned “7 Days, 7 Continents” tour to mobilize youth and adults around the Sustainable Development Goals while addressing the intersection of poverty and climate change.
Detailed Story
Rose Williams, a Global Citizen, speaker, and public health advocate, founded the Global Citizen Community Center to combat extreme poverty through climate justice education and community engagement. The center serves as a hub for both adults and children to learn about sustainability principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular focus on how climate change disproportionately affects communities already struggling with poverty. The project builds on The Climate Initiative’s Climate Justice and Equity learning lab to create a comprehensive education program centered on sustainable building and community development. Through their community center, Rose and her team host various educational events, produce podcasts about the Global Goals, and recruit volunteers to become climate educators in their own communities. A key component of the initiative is the upcoming “7 Days, 7 Continents” tour scheduled for September 2025. During this ambitious event, participants will engage in neighborhood cleanup activities while conducting community needs assessments across diverse areas. The tour is designed as both an educational opportunity and a practical intervention, allowing participants to identify local sustainability challenges and resources. Following the tour, the team will return to their community center to share findings and educate local residents about sustainable resources available in their areas that can help address poverty while mitigating climate impacts. The project reflects a holistic approach to sustainability that recognizes the interconnected nature of environmental and social challenges. By linking climate justice with poverty reduction, Rose’s team empowers participants to take meaningful action at both individual and collective levels through Global Citizen’s action platform.
Impact Statement
The project has engaged 1,000 participants thus far, with students reporting increased confidence in their ability to contribute to ending extreme poverty by 2030. By integrating climate justice education with practical community action, the initiative is building a network of informed advocates equipped to address both local and global sustainability challenges. The program’s multimedia approach, including podcasts and planned tours, enables it to reach diverse audiences and create multiple pathways for engagement with the SDGs.