In February 1999, UNEP's Governing Council gave UNEP the task of developing a concrete Sustainable Consumption Strategy for youth. The youth of today will be tomorrow's consumers, thus the consumption patterns and desires acquired today will influence their adult lifestyles and hence future global consumption patterns. The youth have the willingness and power to spread information about the environment and the social impact of current consumption patterns by mobilising people and resources, and through their numerous youth groups and networks, they are able to reach a wide range of people.
Young people have to start working today to make their vision for a sustainable future a reality.