STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Hundreds marched the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Saturday afternoon to voice their concerns on climate change.

The event, organized by Sustainable Staten Island and Move Forward Staten Island, coincided with the People's Climate Movement March, which was held in Washington D.C.

Julienne Verdi, the founder of Move Forward Staten Island, said the march, which featured participants from across the five boroughs, was about protecting the city from the dangers of climate change.

"Staten Island has kind of been at the forefront of the climate change issue," Verdi said. "We need our politicians on all levels of government to take action."

The march began on the boardwalk at Midland Avenue and went to Seaview Avenue. Verdi said the location was important because of its connection to Superstorm Sandy.

A petition circulated throughout the protest that called for Congressman Dan Donovan to oppose proposed budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency. Organizers said the petition will be hand-delivered to Donovan's Staten Island office.

Several organizations were represented at the march, including Local Union IBEW 3. Allison Ziogas, an electrician with the union, said a transition to renewable energy was important because of the job creation it represents.

"We're here to stand in solidarity with the members of our community, and amplify our collective voice to call for bolder commitments to sustainable energy," Ziogas said.

Art played a large role at the event. Several musicians performed. Organizers described the end of the event as a "festival-like atmosphere."

Serena DiLeonardo said she came to march because of her concerns about the future of the planet.

"We need to be putting more of our resources into a more sustainable future," she said.

The organizers of the Washington D.C. climate march said more than 200,000 people gathered in the nation's capital.

Paul Getsos, the national coordinator for the People's Climate Movement, said the march was organized to encourage leaders to take action on climate change.

"This march grew out of the relationship building among some of the country's most important progressive organizations and movements," Getsos said in a statement.

Activities in Washington D.C. began at sunrise with a water ceremony led by Indigenous peoples at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, according to a media release.

Angela Adrar, the executive director of the Climate Justice Alliance, said humanity's existence depends on improving the environment.

"When our communities are most threatened by climate; the solutions we build must allow us to have control of our resources and the energy we produce in an equitable and truly democratic way," she said.

Getsos said it is important for the movement to continue long after the Saturday march.

"Today's actions are not for one day or one week or one year," Getsos said. "We are a movement that is getting stronger everyday for our families, our communities and our planet. To change everything, we need everyone."