However, Mexico and Nigeria have significant domestic oil reserves and are thus able to use oil as their primary energy source. Argentina has large natural gas reserves. When gas is combusted it produces less metuane and nitrous oxide, per unit of energy, than coal. Zimbabwe uses a fair proportion of coal per power generation but also taps the hydropower capacity of the Zambezi river. South Africa is almost totally dependent on domestic coal reserves as the primary energy source.
Water vapour is the largest contributor to the natural greenhouse effect in South Africa.
Note that during the 1980's, due to the international oil embargo against South Africa, coal was substituted for oil as an energy source. Figure 1.3 Trends in the conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural crops Figure 1.3 Trends in the conversion of natural vegetation agricultural crops. The conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural crops increased rapidly between 1930 and 1970 due to the widespread availability of tractors, fertiliser and pest control, national land policies, and subsidised prices for farm produce. All Rights Reserved.