Namibia faces rising tide threat 15 June 04

Namibia has become the latest country to declare itself gravely threatened by climate change. According to the country’s submission to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, its tourist-hotspot Skeleton Coast will be one of the worst-affected places. The cold-upwelling Benguela current supports productive fisheries offshore, but rising sea temperatures – and increases are already being observed – could cause crashes in fish stocks. Sea level rise of up to a metre would submerge most of the country’s main port, Walvis Bay, at high tide. The report isn’t yet on the UNFCCC website, but should appear in the next month or so.