Excess water is also a huge problem. The number of people affected by floods came to 31 million during the 5-year period from 1983 to 1987. These are world water crises. It will only get worse if nothing is done, say experts of the Kyoto Forum. The consequences will be higher food prices and expensive food imports for water scarce countries that are predominantly poor.
Poor residents have few options but to live in squalid, unsafe environments.
In addition, the circumstances of poor residents contribute to environmental deterioration, such as water pollution and floods in neighboring areas. The Council proposed that a World Water Forum should be held every three years to discuss the world,s important water-related issues. At the First World Water Forum held in Marrakech, Morocco in 1997, the Marrakech Declaration was adopted and it was decided to draw up a Vision for Water, Life and the Environment in the 21st Century. The World Water Vision was presented at the Second World Water Forum held in The Hague, The Netherlands in March 2000, and the concurrent Ministerial Meeting adopted the Declaration of The Hague. The design should be rendered in four colors.