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The North American region is one of the world's least densely populated
and consists of just two countries, both advanced industrial economies
undergoing a transition to more information-based systems. Both have relatively
long records of environmental management. For these reasons, more than
perhaps any other region, the environmental impacts of the four scenarios
on this region are reflected as much in its influence on inter-regional
and global issues. A more internationally engaged North America, as in
the worlds of Policy First and Sustainability First, has
a strikingly positive effect on environmental impacts at a global level
and in other regions. Similarly, a North America that is only engaged
at an economic level, as in a world of Markets First, or with only
selected groups in other regions, as in a Security First world,
has big and often negative impacts.
Environmental impacts still occur within the region, however, and these
vary between scenarios. This section takes a look at a number of these
in the areas of the atmosphere, urban areas, water stress, land degradation,
land-based biodiversity and coastal and marine areas. The specific issue
of potential water stress in the mid-continent and its wider repercussions
is explored in the box.
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