(Monrovia, Liberia, March 5, 2025)– The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, and the President of the University of Liberia (UL), Dr. Layli Maparyan, have concluded a tour of the Thomas Jefferson Richelieu Faulkner College of Science and Technology and the School of Environmental Studies and Climate Change at the University of Liberia.

The visit was aimed at assessing the ongoing climate change program at the university and discussing ways to sustain it beyond its current funding, which is expected to end in March 2025. During the tour, the EPA Executive Director emphasized the importance of climate education and research in addressing environmental challenges in Liberia.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo praised the role of NOVASPHERE, an NGO supported by the Canadian Government’s Climate Support Program, in helping the EPA implement the project. He noted that NOVASPHERE has assisted Liberia in collecting baseline climate data for all 15 counties in Liberia, which will serve as a reference point for measuring progress in the fight against climate change. He also highlighted the establishment of the Climate Change Laboratory at the University of Liberia, describing it as a major step toward building Liberia’s capacity in environmental research and sustainability.

Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo further mentioned that the EPA is working to introduce innovative solutions such as Net Metering, which aims to encourage the use of renewable energy. Net Metering allows those who have energy through renewable sources to sell electricity to the grid when they have excess electricity. He explained that Liberia currently lacks policies and infrastructure to fully embrace renewable energy, but the EPA is collaborating with relevant ministries and agencies to develop regulations that will support the implementation of Net Metering. He noted that the EPA will begin testing these innovations at the Climate Change Laboratory and EPA facilities before expanding them nationwide.

The EPA Executive Director also stressed the need for sustainable funding for climate research in Liberia. He called for more financial support to allow Liberian researchers to engage in meaningful scientific studies, adding that the lack of research funding remains a major gap in the country’s environmental sector. He also disclosed that the EPA is constructing a state-of-the-art chemistry laboratory, which costs over one hundred thousand united states dollars, is going to provide hands-on training opportunities for students from across Liberia. He said this initiative will significantly strengthen scientific education and practical research in the country.

For her part, UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan lauded the EPA and its partners for their contributions to climate education at the university. She reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to national development and emphasized that climate change education is a crucial part of that mission. She acknowledged that while she is a social scientist by training, she has been actively involved in conservation projects and climate research in the past. She stressed that climate change is having a direct impact on communities worldwide and that Liberia, with its rich biodiversity, serves as a climate reservoir, which shed described as a gem. She added that there is an urgent need to train young people in climate-related fields, noting that the country must develop local experts who can take the lead in environmental sustainability efforts.

Providing an update on the climate change program, Dr. Charles Asumana Sr., Dean of the College of Science and Technology and Project Lead for the initiative, disclosed that the program got in full swing on January 27, 2024, and currently has an enrollment of 32 students. He explained that the school offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Climate Action, as well as certificate programs in Scientific and Systems Thinking in Climate Action, Policy, Ethics, and Equity in Climate Action, and Practice and Action-Based Approaches to Climate Action.

Dr. Asumana stated that each certificate program runs for three months, while the diploma program is a more extensive ten-month course. He explained that to earn a diploma, students must complete three certificate programs and a capstone project. He added that participants are required to attend three hours of classroom instruction per week for each course, allowing professionals to integrate the program into their work schedules while acquiring specialized knowledge in climate science and policy.

Also speaking during the visit, Bomi County Electoral District #3 Representative, Hon. Sam Jallah, who chairs the House Committee on Technology, pledged the full support of the 55th House of Representatives to UL’s climate change program. He emphasized that climate education and technology are critical to Liberia’s future and assured that he would work with House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon to secure additional funding and resources for the program.

Representative Jallah noted that with the global shift toward carbon marketing, Liberia has an opportunity to generate revenue while also addressing climate concerns. He stressed that the country must equip young people with the necessary skills to engage in climate-related initiatives and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sector. He further stated that scientific innovation and digital transformation are essential to solving environmental problems, adding that investing in climate education would strengthen Liberia’s position in international climate negotiations, especially in carbon credit trading.

The School of Environmental Studies and Climate Change was officially launched in November 2024 by EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo at the University of Liberia’s main campus in Monrovia. With continued collaboration between the EPA, UL, and international partners, Liberia is taking significant steps toward becoming a leader in climate education and environmental sustainability in the West African region.

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