Climate change in Liberia

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Population density and low elevation coastal zones. Monrovia is especially vulnerable to sea level rise.

Climate change in Liberia causes many problems as Liberia is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Like many other countries in Africa, Liberia both faces existing environmental issues, as well as sustainable development challenges.[1] Because of its location in Africa, it is vulnerable to extreme weather, the coastal effects of sea level rise, and changing water systems and water availability.[2] Climate change is expected to severely impact the economy of Liberia, especially agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Liberia has been an active participant in international and local policy changes related to climate change.[3]

In March 2024, the World Bank released the Liberia Country and Climate Development Report (CCDR), which highlights the severe threat posed by global climate change to Liberia's stability and economic growth. The report outlines the country's vulnerabilities, including its reliance on natural resources, limited fiscal space, and inadequate infrastructure. It warns that without proactive intervention, climate change could shrink Liberia's economy by 15% and push an additional 1.3 million people into poverty by 2050. Conversely, the report suggests that targeted adaptation efforts could significantly improve resilience for up to 800,000 individuals. The CCDR details a strategy for climate action, focusing on four main themes: climate risks and readiness, essential infrastructure, human development, and sustainable land management. It also calls for improved access to finance, leveraging both concessional funding and private sector investment, to support Liberia's pursuit of inclusive growth and poverty reduction.[4][5]

Impacts on the natural environment[edit]

Temperature and weather changes[edit]

Köppen climate classification map for Liberia for 1980–2016
2071–2100 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely[6][7][8]

Sea level rise[edit]

60% of the population of Liberia lives along the coast.[2] Sea level rise is expected to put pressure on a number of populations, including communities in slums such as the West Point Slum,[2] and incur losses of US$250 million.[2]

Water resources[edit]

High evaporation, changes in seasonal rainfall patterns, and runoff increases are expected to lead to decreased water and worse water quality.[2] Additionally, by the 2020s the Mount Coffee Hydropower Project is expected to have challenges with maintaining water supply.[2] Moreover, sea level rise is expected to cause increase salinization in important coastal communities.[2]

Impacts on people[edit]

Economic impacts[edit]

Agriculture[edit]

61% of the GDP and 75% of employment is in the agriculture sector.[9] Climate change is expected to exacerbate extreme weather and decrease crop yields, resulting in food insecurity.[9]

Mitigation and adaptation[edit]

Policies and legislation[edit]

The Liberian Environmental Protection Agency launched a national response plan in 2018.[10]

International cooperation[edit]

Liberia was one of the first recipients of the Green Climate Fund,[2] and received significant funding in 2014 from Norway in order to address forestry practices, fossil fuel subsidies, and renewable energy in the country.[11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Building effective climate governance in Liberia - Liberia". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Climate Risk Profile: Liberia". Climatelinks. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  3. ^ Blackmore, R.D. Lorna Doone. Ryerson Press. ISBN 0-665-26503-4. OCLC 1084383140.
  4. ^ “World Bank Group. 2024. Liberia Country Climate Development Report. CCDR Series. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/41241 License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO.”
  5. ^ "Liberia Country and Climate Development Report (CCDR)". World Bank. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  6. ^ Hausfather, Zeke; Peters, Glen (29 January 2020). "Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading". Nature. 577 (7792): 618–20. Bibcode:2020Natur.577..618H. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3. PMID 31996825.
  7. ^ Schuur, Edward A.G.; Abbott, Benjamin W.; Commane, Roisin; Ernakovich, Jessica; Euskirchen, Eugenie; Hugelius, Gustaf; Grosse, Guido; Jones, Miriam; Koven, Charlie; Leshyk, Victor; Lawrence, David; Loranty, Michael M.; Mauritz, Marguerite; Olefeldt, David; Natali, Susan; Rodenhizer, Heidi; Salmon, Verity; Schädel, Christina; Strauss, Jens; Treat, Claire; Turetsky, Merritt (2022). "Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic". Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 47: 343–371. doi:10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847. Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement...
  8. ^ Phiddian, Ellen (5 April 2022). "Explainer: IPCC Scenarios". Cosmos. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023. "The IPCC doesn't make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C.
  9. ^ a b "Climate Adaptation in Liberia" (PDF). Climate Links. USAID.
  10. ^ Hub, IISD's SDG Knowledge. "Liberia Launches Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy | News | SDG Knowledge Hub | IISD". Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  11. ^ "Climate change and the environment". Norgesportalen. Archived from the original on 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
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