Liberia is facing increasingly dangerous and unpredictable weather patterns as climate change disrupts the country’s long-established seasonal cycle, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has warned.
Speaking on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Yarkpawolo said persistent rainfall during what should be the dry season has already triggered widespread flooding, displacement of communities, destruction of homes, and damage to critical infrastructure—particularly in Monrovia and other coastal areas.
“For generations, Liberia’s rainy and dry seasons followed a dependable rhythm,” he 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.”
Yarkpawolo stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality. Rising global temperatures, he explained, are warming oceans and the atmosphere, increasing moisture levels, and destabilizing weather systems.
“For Liberia, this means heavier rainfall, stronger storms, rainfall outside traditional seasons, and more frequent flooding,” he said.
He identified sea-level rise as one of Liberia’s most serious long-term threats. Scientific projections suggest 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 severe risks to homes, roads, hospitals, and economic infrastructure.
Changing rainfall patterns are already undermining agriculture. Unpredictable and intense downpours have led to crop failure, seed rot, and declining harvests of staples such as rice, cassava, vegetables, and tree crops. These disruptions are driving food price increases and worsening food insecurity.
While climate change is global, Dr. Yarkpawolo said local environmental practices are amplifying its effects. Deforestation, wetland destruction, reliance on charcoal and firewood, pollution from mining, poor waste management, and emissions from aging vehicles are weakening Liberia’s natural defenses against flooding and extreme weather.
“These practices make our communities more vulnerable and undermine national development,” he warned, citing washed-out roads, delayed construction projects, and rising maintenance costs.
To build resilience, Liberia is pursuing both domestic and international initiatives. The government has secured a $10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility’s Least Developed Countries Fund to support climate-resilient agriculture and improved water management.
Another $10 million project is establishing a modern Climate Information and Early Warning System, including a national meteorological center to improve forecasting and guide farmers’ planting decisions.
Collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency is also underway to reduce rice production time from 120 days to 80 days, boosting agricultural productivity. These initiatives align with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, the flagship framework of the Boakai administration.
Despite government efforts, Yarkpawolo emphasized that national action alone is insufficient. He urged 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 cautioned.
He concluded by calling for unity and responsibility in confronting climate change:
“Together, let us protect our environment, support our farmers, safeguard our communities, and build a climate-resilient Liberia.”
