By: Staff Writer
MONROVIA – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has warned that Liberia is experiencing increasingly dangerous and unpredictable weather patterns driven by climate change.
In a statement on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Dr. Yarkpawolo said the country’s long-established seasonal cycle has been severely disrupted, with persistent rainfall now occurring during what should be the dry season.
“This shift has already caused widespread flooding, displacement of communities, destruction of homes, and damage to critical infrastructure, particularly in Monrovia and other coastal areas,” he said.
“For generations, Liberia’s rainy and dry seasons followed a dependable rhythm,” Dr. Yarkpawolo noted. “But in recent years, especially throughout 2025 and now in early 2026, we are experiencing heavy rains, strong winds, and flooding outside the normal seasonal calendar.”
He pointed to continued nighttime and early-morning downpours in January as clear evidence that climate patterns have fundamentally changed.
Climate Change at the Center
Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that climate change is the primary cause of Liberia’s worsening weather conditions. Rising global temperatures, he explained, are warming oceans and the atmosphere, increasing moisture levels, and disrupting normal weather systems.
“For Liberia, this means heavier rainfall, stronger storms, rainfall outside traditional seasons, and more frequent flooding,” he said, stressing that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality.
Major Threats: Sea-Level Rise and Rainfall Extremes
The EPA chief identified sea-level rise as one of Liberia’s most serious long-term threats. Scientific projections indicate global sea levels could rise between 0.6 and 1 meter by 2100. With more than 560 kilometers of coastline and nearly 60 percent of the population living in coastal areas, Liberia faces significant risks to homes, roads, hospitals, and economic infrastructure.
Changing rainfall patterns also pose a severe danger, particularly to agriculture. Unpredictable and intense rainfall has led to crop failure, seed rot, and declining harvests, affecting staples such as rice, cassava, vegetables, and tree crops.
Dr. Yarkpawolo warned that these disruptions are already driving rising food prices and increasing food insecurity.
Local Practices Worsening Impacts
While climate change is a global issue, Dr. Yarkpawolo said local environmental practices are intensifying its effects.
Deforestation, wetland destruction, reliance on charcoal and firewood, pollution from mining, poor waste management, and emissions from old vehicles are weakening Liberia’s natural defenses against flooding and extreme weather.
“These practices make our communities more vulnerable and undermine national development,” he said, citing washed-out roads, delayed construction projects, and rising maintenance costs.
Government Response
Dr. Yarkpawolo outlined several government initiatives to build climate resilience. Liberia continues to advocate internationally for climate justice, adaptation financing, and loss-and-damage support for vulnerable countries.
Domestically, the government is implementing coastal defense projects and has secured a US$10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility’s Least Developed Countries Fund to support climate-resilient agriculture and improved water management.
Another US$10 million project is being used to establish a modern Climate Information and Early Warning System, including a national meteorological center to improve weather forecasting and guide farmers’ planting decisions.
He also highlighted collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency aimed at reducing rice production time from 120 days to 80 days, increasing agricultural productivity and resilience.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, these initiatives align with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, the flagship framework of the Boakai administration.
Call for Collective Action
Despite government efforts, Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed that national action alone is insufficient. He called on all Liberians to protect forests and wetlands, avoid blocking drainage systems, reduce pollution, and support sustainable farming practices.
“When we damage our environment, we increase flooding, disease, and suffering for ourselves and future generations,” he warned.
He concluded by urging unity and responsibility in confronting climate change, saying Liberia can adapt through science, planning, strong partnerships, and environmental stewardship.
“Together, let us protect our environment, support our farmers, safeguard our communities, and build a climate-resilient Liberia,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
