The most common sources of greenhouse gases are factories burning fossil fuels, open fires, power stations and motor vehicles. If this happens, Namibia may lose Walvis Bay, much of which is below sea level. We could also expect more droughts and reductions in offshore fish stocks, while other parts of the world could experience unseasonal floods. Low-lying countries and small island states are the most vulnerable to this worst case scenario. A veld fire in Caprivi releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Fires contribute to the greenhouse effect, which is thought to be changing the earth's climate.
The FCCC emphasises the responsibility of developed countries to reduce and stabilise greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 1995. They are furthermore expected to transfer technology to developing countries so as to enable the latter to meet their own commitments. Although Namibia is not a significant source of greenhouse gases, it is vulnerable to climate change, since most of its economy is reliant on ecological production and its people depend on agriculture and fisheries for their existence. We need to reduce exhaust emissions and seek alternatives to fossil fuels for energy generation. By harnessing solar and other forms of renewable energy, we would be making a small but important contribution to the world's environmental stability.