Baku, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yakpawolo is urging the international community to increase Global Funding to address the climate crisis in Liberia.
Speaking to BBC “Focus on Africa” on Thursday, November 14, 2024, Dr. Yakpawolo made a compelling case for Liberia to address the country’s climate change crisis.
The EPA Boss underscored the urgent need for global financial support to help the country combat the escalating impacts of climate change.
In a powerful appeal, the EPA Director told the BBC that Liberia’s vulnerability to climate-related challenges, including severe droughts, unpredictable rainfall, coastal erosion, and disrupted agricultural production, has negatively impacted the country.
“Liberia, like many other least developed countries, is already feeling the effects of climate change,” the EPA Director said.
Dr. Yakpawolo Lamented the erratic rainfall patterns and rising sea levels, particularly along the Monrovia, West Point, Buchanan, and Greenville coasts.
“We are experiencing extreme weather events such as erratic rainfall patterns and rising sea levels, particularly along the coast in areas like Monrovia, West Point, Buchanan, and Greenville. Our food crops have also been significantly impacted,” he emphasized.
According to Dr. Urey, Liberia is uniquely positioned to play a key role in climate adaptation and environmental preservation. As a country rich in natural resources and home to more than 40% of West Africa’s remaining forest cover, it is also home to more than 40% of the continent’s remaining forest cover.
He emphasized that despite its vast natural wealth, the country remains deeply impoverished and ill-equipped to address the challenges posed by climate change.
He disclosed to the BBC that Liberia has developed an ambitious climate action plan called the “ARREST Agenda,” a five-year framework focused on climate adaptation, mitigation, and tourism development in response to climate change.
This five-year plan, both forward-thinking and climate-smart, is projected to cost an estimated seven billion ($S7 billion) dollars to implement.
However, the EPA Director emphasized that Liberia, as one of the poorest countries in the region, lacks the financial resources to fund such an extensive plan independently.
“We recognize that Liberia cannot bear this financial burden alone as a developing nation. That is why we are here at COP29, advocating for Liberia and the global community to commit more financial resources to address the climate crisis,” Dr. Yakpawolo noted.
Liberia’s appeal focuses on securing support from developed nations, which, according to the EPA Director, are better positioned to fund climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The Director stressed that financial commitments must go beyond rhetoric, urging the international community to turn pledges into tangible actions that result in real climate solutions, not just lofty goals.
“We are hopeful that the commitments made here at COP29 will transition into concrete action,” the Director added. “It’s not enough to set ambitious climate targets; we need to see real results that will positively impact Liberia and other vulnerable nations worldwide.”
Liberia’s message echoes the broader concerns of many developing nations, which face disproportionate impacts from climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.
The country’s EPA Director concluded his interview with the BBC with a call to action: “We hope that through continued advocacy and international support, we can make significant strides in combating climate change and securing a more resilient future for Liberia and beyond.”
