United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy, has reminded President George Weah of his commitments made at the just ended 26th Conference Of Parties in Scotland on climate change as the country holds consultation to impact the upcoming Stockholm +50 event.
Amb. McCarthy indicated that President Weah committed Liberia to meeting the universal goal of limiting the increase in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2030.
At the launch of the Stockholm +50 National Consultations held in Monrovia, McCarty reminded Liberians that President Weah spoke of the country’s ambition to be a leader in Africa on climate financing.
He also recalled that the President pointed out that Liberia is home to more than 43 percent of the Equatorial Guinea rainforest, which are, in his words is, “a major part of the global lungs which make it possible for the industrial world to breathe.”
The Ambassador asserted that Liberia’s impressive list of commitments though challenge all partners, the price is not cheap as it will cost nearly US $500 million and Liberia alone will not be able to meet that cost.
He said while the international community will have to meet its own ambitious commitments, the United States has pledged to do the same and therefore urged Liberia’s efforts to protect its forests while also finding ways for its citizens who depend on the forests for their livelihoods to sustain them and prosper.
Acknowledging the risks of climate change for Liberia, he said, “We are especially grateful that Liberia was an early signatory of the Global Methane Pledge and we look forward to working with Liberia on that and other initiatives.”
However, quoting the World Bank’s report, Ambassador McCarthy reiterated Liberia’s high vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change and environmental instability which according to the report is due to its extreme poverty and high dependence on climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and energy.
He ascribed the heightened risks Liberia faces which include coastal erosion and flooding to more extreme and unpredictable rainfall.
He also highlighted Liberia’s exceptional dry season which has severely limited the country’s hydro power generation thus resulting in the daily blackouts Liberians are already experiencing.
One of the themes of Stockholm +50 is mobilizing innovative and bold action by collaborating with business therefore, Amb. McCarthy stated that partners eagerly await a free enterprise flourish in Liberia in a way that develops the vast talent of its people and sustains its rich environmental advantages.
“But that will not happen if Liberia does not have an inclusive, transparent, and corruption-free political system,” he cautioned.
As Liberia participates in the upcoming Stockholm event, McCarthy expressed that the international community look forward to seeing what new action-oriented ideas are developed to take at that event in Sweden.
