The way forward


The GEO-6 for Youth report has explored the pressing environmental issues highlighted in the GEO-6 main report. The key challenges identified were on the environmental and health impacts of food, energy and waste systems that need the immediate attention of today’s Youth. We, as today’s Youth, have the potential, the valor and the strength to convert these challenges into opportunities by working on innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions. The urgency of this task demands cooperation and collaboration to support our actions and sustainable thinking. As we strive to educate, network and collaborate, we can ensure that our actions are directed towards this common vision. We cannot afford to lose the only place we call home.


The generations before us have contributed substantially to today’s environmental damage. The industrial revolution provided those generations with the opportunity to improve their livelihoods, social well-being and the


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economy. However the impact of this revolution (and the subsequent emphasis on financial growth) on planetary health and people is being realized gradually. We are now, more than ever, aware of the detrimental impact this has had on the environment and people’s health and the potential disasters that might happen if we continue on this path.


This threat has become even clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted many aspects of people’s lives in an unprecedented way. It has emphasized the need to re- examine our interactions with nature and the environment. Our generation is being heavily affected by employment insecurity, disruption to education, mental health issues and limitations to individual freedom due to the pandemic. However, it may be important not to lose sight of youth’s power to be agents of change during these challenging times.


We as Youth, are currently humanity’s largest and most diverse generation. Generations before us did not have the capacity to interconnect, transfer and expand knowledge


in the way we do. This allows us to play a central role in this transition toward sustainable development. We have the advantage of youth, our immense numbers and above all the benefits of technology and social media that are advancing rapidly. We can achieve our goals in this fast-paced world by using the tools available to us. Our decisions and actions during this transformational period could change and shape the world into a more sustainable future.


In this future, we will need to anchor our economic development and social well-being on environmental sustainability. We will need to explore the potential of new circular economy models in addressing the shortfalls of the current economic model. Change does not come easily, especially for those people and systems that have become used to the (old) unsustainable way of doing things. As a new generation, we can discover and create a future that revolves around improved social cohesion through environmental sustainability and sustainable lifestyles. We have the potential to create an


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