SIMEON WIAKANTY
Africa-Press – Liberia. As part of global efforts to call for swift action to preserve the environment, Shedike Varlee Kamara, Executive Director of Eco Climate Initiative (ECI), has called on the Liberian government, through the relevant agencies, to protect Liberia’s wetlands and ban single use plastic across Liberia.
“Today is climate emergency day, and the world has set a deadline for every country to take serious action to protect our environment. Because climate change has become a serious crisis and an emergency.”
ECI is a youth driven idea that is working to improve youth participation and contribution to combating climate change and environmental pollution. Its aim is to lead youth into maintaining a friendly environment through advocacy, environmental literacy, and research.
According to some environmental experts, plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, thus reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change, directly affecting millions of people’s livelihoods, food production capabilities and social well-being. UNEP’s body of work demonstrates that the problem of plastic pollution doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Activist Kamara made the call on July 22, when his organization partnered with the Climate Clock and the Global Community in over 30 countries to celebrate Climate Emergency Day, the first time the climate clock ticked below six years.
As part of the global initiatives, the Climate Clock is also in Liberia and asking the national government through ECI to Protect the country’s wetlands and Ban Single used plastic by 2028. “We are calling on President George M. Weah to take some serious decisions on climate issues. We have good laws on the books, but these laws are not enough, therefore we are asking for immediate actions to be taken,” he said.
Kamara, who is also the Coordinator of Climate Clock Liberia, acknowledged that climate change is a big issue and, as such, must be handled by everyone and not an individual organization, adding that “We are saying protect our wetland because it is a treasure we have.”
Most regions in Monrovia are covered with wetlands, beautiful mangroves that are habitat to a lot of different species. In order to keep these species alive, the government and development partners have to support efforts in protecting the environment so that the future generation can enjoy the fruit of today’s actions.
A symbolic display to show 6 years remaining to take the necessary actions to help save the earth
Kamara is certain that if the government can protect Liberia’s wetlands and ban single use plastic it would solve a lot of problems. “Because of the plastic we are leaving in the environment today, in the next 50 to 100 years the younger generation will have to interact with them. Let us now work hard for the younger generation and save our environment.
He also promised continue to engagement national government and all environmental sectors in the country to take this seriously as Liberia has less than less years to help save the environment
“Until single use plastic is banned, we will not rest, this will be our own political decision as we all have the decision to elect anybody, but our decision to make sure that climate change remains a serious concern to our government.
He clarifies that the march was not a political rally, saying we are not trying to seek the goodwill of any individual or philanthropist; we are talking about what will benefit everyone because when the environment is good, everybody benefits.
The organization disclosed that plans are already underway to launch a program where they will become an eye of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will remind people who are in constant habit of violating environmental laws, especially wetlands.
Kamara warned: “Let me say this to the G20 and the G7 nations when you developed at the detriment of smaller countries that don’t have the capacity when there is a flood, as a result of your actions. We are demanding that you pay to countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and the rest so that we can be able to build our capacity so that we can be able to withstand the climate crisis.”
Meanwhile in recent weeks there have been international media reports of regular heating all over Europe and flooding has been taking place in other countries, this alone tells that indeed there is an emergency and swift actions are needed.
Few days ago, the Daily Observer toured the township of West Point, a densely populated community in Monrovia where citizens continue to battle against climate change. During the tour from the interactions with citizens they appeared to love the area and they are not willing to move, but it will interest you to note that sea erosion is taking every single inch of that community.
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