By B. Linus Flomo
The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) has initiated a comprehensive program to address climate change and promote sustainable development in Liberia.
This effort, aimed at tackling the country’s challenges of poverty and climate vulnerability, was launched with an interactive discussion on June 28, 2024.
The event brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and community members affected by climate change.
The meeting focused on key areas such as agriculture, coastal hazards management, energy, waste management, and forestry while the stakeholders engaged in a dialogue to formulate recommendations to address climate change issues.
IREDD’s Executive Director Dan Saryee, highlighted the significant risks Liberia faces due to natural and human-induced hazards, including floods, coastal erosion, windstorms, epidemics, and poor waste management.
He emphasized that these hazards are expected to worsen with increasing climate change thereby identifying several communities, including Logan Town, Clara Town, Doe Community, Bushrod Island, and Johnsonville, as being particularly vulnerable during the rainy season from July to September, with temperatures averaging 24.5°C and rising to 26.5°C during the dry season in December and January.
He noted that Liberia ranks 175th on the Global Human Development Index 2021 and 174th out of 189 on the Notre Dame 2021 Global Adaptation Initiative on climate change vulnerability.
IREDD’s Program Manager for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Gontorwon Saye Lah, presented IREDD’s strategy for addressing climate change in Liberia.
He explained that the organization will focus on climate-smart agricultural practices, awareness raising, and policy advocacy.
Similar approaches will be applied in other sectors, aiming for a unified approach to sustainability.
The program also addresses Liberia’s economic challenges, particularly in rural areas, and highlights the importance of investing in agriculture, education, and healthcare.
IREDD’s mission is to promote environmentally sustainable governance and empower communities to build a climate-resilient culture across Liberia.
The organization envisions active community engagement in sustainable development and aims to integrate environmental considerations into practices for a sustainable future through research, awareness raising, and policy advocacy.
A resident of West Point, one of the most affected areas, expressed his disappointment in politicians who only engage with communities during election periods.
He thanked IREDD for organizing the discussion and expressed hope that his community would benefit from the initiative.
Concluding the discussion, IREDD’s Program and Operations Manager, Morris W. Gbessagee, thanked the participants and urged everyone to take climate change seriously and work towards resolving it collaboratively.
