By: Amani Nelson
On Thursday, Sept. 24, as part of New York City’s (NYC) Climate Week 2026, the Brooklyn College (BC) Sustainability Showcase was held on the West Quad. The showcase collaborated with on-campus clubs and NYC organizations, displaying various ways for BC students to get involved in sustainability practices.
The BC Sustainability Club collected ceramic yogurt cups from faculty and let attendees repot a plant.
The organization collaborated with another organization, Climate Cafe NYC, a volunteer project dedicated to getting people involved in climate activism. The organization hosts events such as park-cleaning in Canarsie Park, where volunteers can tend to the trees and the local environment.
As a co-sponsor of the event, BC TREEage tabled at the event as well. TREEage is a community of 2500+ students in both high school and college all over NYC promoting a more climate-friendly future through organizing and campaigning for more eco-friendly policies.
President of the BC chapter of TREEage, Joey Schneider, and Vice President Helen Zambrano shared their plans for a new program designed to educate students on climate activism. “There’s gonna be a lot of different student bodies, including some of the newest schools that we just got on board with, including NYU and Columbia. […] This is going to be sort of a prep and introduction for people maybe unfamiliar with TREEage’s mission to get prepared for our annual trip to Albany,” stated Schneider.
“Every year, TREEage takes a trip to Albany. It is at no cost to students. [We] focus on getting students activated in an equitable way. [It’s] an introduction to all the different things that we do, all of our different partners and who we talk to and collaborate with. It’s a great opportunity just to get familiar with TREEage a little bit more, aside from just on-campus occupations,” Schneider added.
Attendees were in for a fluffy surprise at the next table. Senior Environmental Science student Noah Hopkins displayed a series of popular Pokémon characters made of pipe cleaners in an artificial habitat.
“This project is Project 151. This has kind of grown into an idea where I’m going to build all of the original 151 Pokémon out of pipe cleaners to scale with one another, all at one-ninth scale, and then take photos of each in their natural habitats around New York City,” Hopkins shared the origin of the concept of the project.
Hopkins expressed his goal to get people interested in sustainability through Pokémon.
“What better way to get people involved [with sustainability and conservation] than with the most popular franchise in the world, and one that I know very much?”
There was a lineup of opportunities for students to get involved in public policy because, following Hopkins’ display, attendees were greeted by student representatives of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG).
Intern Alroy Knight shared the importance of letting your voice be heard in your community.
“We know that Governor Hochul recently issued a one-year moratorium on permitting hyperscale data centers. And now we have an opportunity as New Yorkers to weigh in on how our communities should be protected. We’re looking for students who would want to get involved,” intern Alroy Knight chimed in.
While learning about sustainable policy engagement, attendees could shop at the NYPIRG “free store” pop-up. The free store offered a small selection of clothing for students to choose from. Students were also encouraged to drop off clothes at the office in Ingersoll 1433.
Passing through attendees could view some soil samples from the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department while learning about the Urban Soils Lab.
“The Urban Soils Lab is a lab associated with the Earth and Environmental Science Department in Ingersoll Hall — and we are a soil testing lab. [We] also have student research projects going on in the lab.” Kyla Shorr, adjunct professor of environmental and earth sciences, shared.
The Public Health and Medicine Club, more commonly known as PHaM, was also in attendance, inspiring students with more ways to get involved in sustainable stewardship.
With Earth fresh on the brain, students were drawn into the world of Geology Club.
“Geology might be the first word in our name, but it’s basically where everyone who loves the earth kind of congregates,” Camryn Ames, treasurer of the geology club, mused.
“The Brooklyn College Geology Society is dedicated to building community through nature. We are a group of students from all majors who are passionate about protecting and enjoying the Earth and all of its natural wonders. We go on trips, offer networking opportunities for those who like to pursue geology and environmental science, and provide a space for students to come together in a space where community is hard to find,” Member Rihanna Seeram shared.
As the event neared its end, attendees were introduced to Brooklyn College student Kayla Drakes’ nonprofit, “From Plastic to Protection.” The nonprofit aims to reduce microplastics going into waterways.
The showcase ended with pamphlets handed out, sign-up sheets filled, and the sun shining on the Sustainability Fair.
For all interested in the Sustainability Department, please email sustainibility@brooklyn.cuny.edu.