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West Asia is characterized by relatively high population growth rates,
heavy economic dependence on oil production, fairly severe water stress
and pockets of conflict or unrest. Developments in all these respects,
along with the promotion of technological advances in areas such as desalination
and biotechnology, vary markedly between the four scenarios. As in other
regions, these shifts are largely driven by trends and events in the areas
of governance and culture, and in relations between nations within and
outside the region. Possible outcomes in terms of environmental impacts
are considered in more detail below for land, freshwater, biodiversity,
urban areas and coastal and marine resources. The repercussions of an
extended drought in the region are explored in the box.
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