Liberia can raise US$95m from mangroves.

The EPA says Liberia has lost more than 26 percent of its mangrove ecosystems since 2000, and the carbon stock in mangrove ecosystems declined from 12 to 8.9 [million tonnes] over the same period. 

By Lincoln G. Peters 

Monrovia, August 2, 2024: Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel K.  Urey Yarkpwolo, says that if properly managed, Liberia’s mangroves will provide US$95 million yearly in coastal protection services. 

The Government of Liberia, through the EPA, in partnership with Conversation International and other stakeholders, launched the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) Liberian Chapter on Thursday, August 1, 2024. 

By joining the GMA, Liberia hopes to implement actions and projects to advance the alliance’s global goals through the exchange of best practices and lessons learned.

The aim is to address challenges by building on the best available science-based data.

The launch of this all-important platform is an effort to domesticate the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as the Ramsar Convention.

The launch of the initiative brought together representatives from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Conversation International, and EPA, as well as Civil Society Organizations and environmental specialists.

Launching the GMA Liberia Chapter in Monrovia, Dr. Yarkpwolo stated that Liberia has lost more than 26 percent of its mangrove ecosystems since the year 2000. 

“The Carbon stock in mangrove ecosystems declined from 12 to 8.9 Mt [million tonnes] over the same period. If we take care of them, mangroves provide US$95 million/year in coastal protection services,” Dr. Yarkpwolo said.

“Therefore, the issue of mangrove management in Liberia cannot be overemphasized. Liberia signed onto the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) Community Action in November 2023,” Dr. Yarkpwolo noted. 

He suggested that Liberians should not underestimate mangroves’ role as natural infrastructure in preventing sea level rise.

He added that the rise in sea levels is evident all along Liberia’s nine coastal counties. 

The Liberian scientific scholar pointed out that data generated from this vital exercise will enable the government to make informed decisions on the country’s carbon sink issue.

According to the EPA chief, they anticipate building a framework for managing these precious resources.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor, most respectfully, on behalf of the Government of Liberia, the Liberian nation and people, and our valuable international partners to officially launch the Liberian Chapter of the Global Mangrove Alliance,” said Dr. Yarkpwolo. 

In a brief PowerPoint presentation, Madam Elizabeth D. Kamara, Blue Ocean Program Manager, Conversation International, said that the initiative aims to build cooperation and partnership to protect mangroves, which is also important for carbon. 

“This is the first in Liberia and West Africa. Our major goal is to raise the Mangrove coverage protection to 26% in 2030,” she said.