This gross inequality continues to grow. The economic models designed in the north for the rapid industrialization of the South have failed and in many instances exacerbated the problems. Moving away form our current situation to a more sustainable future needs to occur in both the North and the South. Moreover, sustainability cannot be imposed in the South when it is the North that is responsible for most of the environmental degradation and over consumption of resources in the North. What is clear is that we cannot continue with our current development practices, change has got to happen, and there is an obvious need for social and economic restructuring.
Sustainable development involves new ways of thinking, new ways of doing things.
The potential lies in young people to generate these changes. The responsibility for the path we take in the future lies in the hands of today's youth, whether we continue the current rates of destruction, or create a more equitable and peaceful society.