Biomass Energy from Plant and Animal Matter
Published: 03 July, 2008
Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals. Biomass contains stored energy from the sun. Plants absorb the sun's energy in a process called photosynthesis. The chemical energy in plants gets passed on to animals and people that eat them. Biomass is a renewable energy source because we can always grow more trees and crops, and waste will always exist. Some examples of biomass fuels are wood, crops, manure, and some garbage.
Ozone depletion – A danger to our health
Published: 19 June, 2008
The Ozone layer is found in the high atmosphere preventing the harmful ray of the sun in reaching the earth. This layer has been damaged over the past fifty years, because of the damage done to the layer the harmful ray of the sun called Ultraviolet rays (UV-rays) can not reach us and cause heath problems including skin cancer, eye cataracts and effect our immune system.
Officials of the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) last weekend launched a major clean-up campaign at the Red light market community aimed at removing garbage surrounding the market its environs.
EPA CEO Calls for Environmental Compliance
Published: 09 June, 2008
EPA Executive Director Ben Donnie
KAKATA, MARGIBI COUNTY, The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ben T. Donnie, has used this year's Environment Day observance to urge Liberians and foreigners residing in the country to conform themselves to the highest positive environmental standard.
One of several scrap stockpiles at Paynesville, outside Monrovia
Scrap Dealers Add to Environmental Crisis in Paynesville
Published: 06 June, 2008
MONROVIA, What appears now to be a grave and uncontrollable sanitation and environmental crisis has engulfed the densely populated commercial district of Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
Fiamah Dumpsite Shut Down
Published: 05 June, 2008
The old Fiamah dumpsite in Sinkor, Monrovia
The Sanitation and Environmental Health Department (SEHD) of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) Monday shut down the newly-rehabilitated Fiamah Community dumpsite in Sinkor , Monrovia.
Celebration Of World Environmental Day Celebrated in Liberia
Published: 05 June, 2008
Liberia as a signatory to all major environmental agreements is not an implementer of many of the agreements signed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established by an Act in 2003 to regulate environmental laws of Liberia has not been up to the task as much degradation of the environment goes on unheeded to by EPA. There is waste from one end of the country to another without anyone from EPA talking.
MONROVIA, The United States Trading Company (USTC) factory located in Paynesville outside the nation's capital, Monrovia, has allegedly produced huge industrial wastes that have now become a health hazard to surrounding communities.
A Clean Environment Is a Safe Liberia
Published: 02 June, 2008
Koffa: 'I don't know of anyone in this hall who does not need the air to live' Photo by A. M. Johnson
MONROVIA, The executive director of the Liberia Environmental Watch (LEW), Morris Koffa, over the weekend told a gathering of environmental experts, students and student groups and others that “a clean environment is a safe Liberia”.
FDA and River Cess County Inventory on Carbon Project
Published: 29 May, 2008
Since Liberia has committed 30% (1.5 million ha.) of its forest area to its Protected Area Network, this offers the biggest opportunity for (up-front) incentive payments under Voluntary Carbon Markets. Preliminary estimates suggest a relatively meager investment to protect permanently the heart of the West African hotspot may be roughly $5 million in start-up costs, with annual recurrent costs of less than $5 million. The annual foregone opportunity costs are estimated to be at least $6.4 million annually. The Protected Area Network will contain over 1/3 of Liberia's forest carbon or roughly 1.3 GtCO2. If these potential future emission reductions were monetized over a period of between 30 to 200 years at an average $10 price per tCO2, then the Net Present Value may be between $3 billion and $450 million assuming constant emission reductions and a discount rate of 15%.
River Cess Carbon Project to Mitigate Global Warming
Published: 22 May, 2008
The forest of Liberia is rapidly disappearing under the combined forces of shifting cultivation, unscientific pit sawing and other anthropogenic pressures on it. The wildlife is also severely threatened by uncontrolled commercial hunting and destruction of their habitats through slash-burn method of farming. This situation prevailed even before the Liberian Civil war.
Lott Carey students and school official pose for photo after receiving the drums and One of the drum that was presented to Ricks Institute
Lonestar Cell Supports Community Clean-up
Published: 15 May, 2008
Apparently trying to heed the call from the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) to help keep communities in Monrovia clean from filths, the Lonestar Cell Corporation has begun channeling its community clean-up supports through a local music house that has embarked on distributing sanitary drums to various primary, secondary and tertiary learning institutions in the capital.
Restore Liberian Forest to Mitigate Global Warming
Published: 08 May, 2008
When climate change is in the news, it is never talked about positively. Record- shattering winds, mudslides, floods and many others occur in Liberia. Every bad thing about making farm is discussed in our country today. It is the same story all the time.
EBF Brings New Lease of Life to Grand Bassa
Published: 01 May, 2008
The chairman of the Equatorial Bio Fuels (EBF), Mr. Michael Fragne, has stated that his company is committed to improving the living condition of the people of Bassa, in particular District #4.
Climate Change in Liberia
Published: 24 April, 2008
The issue of climate change in Liberia can be compared to HIV/AIDS owing to its devastating effect. Many Liberians are either ignorant of the facts about global climate change or don't believe that it is happening. But unlike HIV/AIDS which can affect individuals by their omission and commission, global climate change is affecting humans, animals and plants indiscriminately the world over and Liberia is no exemption.
Dr. Topor presents report to stakeholders and (l-r) Donnie, Jonathan Davis, Topor and Sambolah
EPA Vets Desk Study on PAMS
Published: 17 April, 2008
Environmental stakeholders in Liberia, faced with an uphill task of carving out protected areas in their country where revenue is largely accrued from mainly the extractive industry, held a one-day forum Wednesday to vet a desk study on protected areas management systems (PAMS) in Liberia.
ABOVE: CEO Wahmah installs ionizer as others look on BELKOW: Salesperson Kwita Dumbar installing an ionizer on a vehicle and Wahmah and Dumbar installing ionizer
Three wild animals, mainly baboons that reportedly crossed into Liberia through a border crossing point in Nimba County from Guinea, are said to have invaded the forests in the county, thus halting all farming activities.
[l-r] Dep. Min. Kiawu, chair, project steering committee; an MOA, representative; Mr. Massa; EPA Act. Ex. Dir. Jerome Nyenkan and Mr. Blama and Lake Piso Nature Reserve in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will over the next two years conduct a project to integrate the country's Protect Area, which they say 'is tailored to match Government's determination in addressing national poverty reduction issues'.
Mr. Karmorh at the University of Liberia resource center
Searching for Benefits from Liberia's Carbon Market
Published: 31 January, 2008
Liberia is fast becoming an area of attraction for both those who tend to invest in alternative energy, using biofuels and those who espouse the doctrine of carbon sink, looking to use forest reserve to heal global warming.
Lake Piso to Be Mined for Gold
Published: 29 January, 2008
The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) recently learned that Subsea Resources DMCC, Inc., subcontractors for Earthcons, is poised to begin mining exploration in Lake Piso based on a 2005 agreement signed under the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Make Environment Friendly
Published: 24 January, 2008
EPA Executive Director, Ben T. Donnie
The National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Monday held talks with stakeholders at a meeting at the agency's main office located on 4th Street in Sinkor. The program was intended to facilitate awareness on the conversion from ozone depleting chemicals to environmentally friendly alternatives. It also detailed the progress and benefits that could be accrued through the conversion.
Saving Lake Piso Basin
Published: 24 January, 2008
The consultation and awareness campaign to cities and towns within the Lake Piso Basin in Western Liberia is approaching concluding stages; the people of Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties have welcomed government initiative to declare the region as a multiple sustainable use Nature Reserve.
Makeshift toilets at Ma Juah Market Photo by John K. Forkpa
Pollution Threatens Mesurado River
Published: 11 January, 2008
MONROVIA, The Messurado River which joins with the Stockton Creek and empties into the sea is being seriously polluted with human excreta and hazardous waste.
A scrap depot situated in Soul Clinic Community in Paynesville outside Monrovia continues to pose a serious environmental threat and degradation for several thousand residents whose livelihoods depend on vegetable production.
Nyenkan: “The EPA is now in force and must begin to act,” Cross section of participants and Ms. Akumu
Polluters Will Be Fined, Jailed
Published: 22 November, 2007
Stakeholders in the Liberian environmental sector are meeting in a two-day workshop at the Monrovia City Hall to raise awareness on the use of clean fuels and vehicles as well as pursue enforcement of Section of the Environmental Management Law (EML) which provides for US$5,000 fine or a one-year jail term for polluters or both.
Morris T. Koffa, Executive Director, Liberia Environmental Watch, Inc, Dr. Chris Toe, Minister of Agriculture - Republic of Liberia, and Dr. Syrulwa Somah, A&T University, NC - Malaria and the Environment
Environmental Conference On Liberia Tomorrow
Published: 08 November, 2007
A conference to increase awareness on Liberia's environment will take place tomorrow Friday, November 9 under the auspices of the Liberia Environmental Watch (LEW) will be held at Bowie State University in Bowie Maryland, United States of America. A dinner will follow the conference in the evening of the same day and will be held at Martin's Crosswinds.
To Protect Sapo National Park:
Published: 25 October, 2007
In order to provide authentic protection for species at the Sapo National Park (SNP) in the Southeastern region from further extinction of the species, Conservation International (CI) Liberia has signed a grant of over US$692,003 with Actionaid Liberia.
DuPont Develops World's First Advanced Biofuel
Published: 04 October, 2007
David Anton, DuPont's venture manager for development of biobutanol, the world's first advanced biofuel, thinks a lot about the high-energy content of gasoline that is missing from traditional ethanol fuels. This deficiency is one reason automakers and the driving public have been slow to commit to fuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A sence of the waste site, in the back are some of LEC facilities Photo by J. Rufus Paul
Disaster Hangs over Kru Town
Published: 23 August, 2007
MORNOVIA, A large portion of the township of New Kru Town risks being swallowed up by waste engine oil from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) if nothing is done to prevent the spill-over of the waste, environmentalists have warned.
TO MEET LIBERIA OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE VIENNA CONVENTION AND ITS MONTREAL PROTOCOL, NO IMPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
Published: 09 August, 2007
The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has set the ending of 2008 as deadline for importation of hazardous chemicals which are banned under the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (Vienna Convention for the protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocols). As contracting party to these agreements, Liberia is obliged to phase out (stop) the use of chemicals banned under the Vienna convention and its Montreal Protocol.
Liberia is no doubt a very rich country in terms of natural resources. It has huge deposits of gold, diamond, iron ore, and numerous rivers, creeks, and streams good for commercial fishing. It has an aquatic biomass that contains various species of crabs, turtles, fishes, alligators, shrimps, frogs, and plants. Yet Liberia has consistently focused many efforts on iron ore mining and raw timber exports than on developing its aquatic biomass for producing fish products, which are as economically profitable as iron ore and timber exports, but less harmful to the environment. Nonetheless, Liberia currently holds the dubious distinction as the world's 11th largest iron ore producing country due to huge deposits of iron and aluminum, two of world's most useful metallic elements, when the country has no steel processing plants and remains one of the poorest nations in the world in terms of living standards, education and development. Perhaps, it is now time for Liberia to begin to deemphasize iron ore mining and concentrate more efforts on developing its aquatic biomass for commercial fishing, canned fish products, and other commercial activities before the aquatic biomass is destroyed by the current waves of incessant and unregulated iron ore mining activities in the country.
Defendant Henry Gweh briefing reporters on the environmental situation of the Farmington River in Owensgrove, Grand Bassa County Photo by Edwin M. Fayia
OWENSGROVE, GRAND BASSA COUNTY, What appears to be a visible threat posed by the newly acquired speed boat by the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company has also generated grave concern, worry and frustration amongst the Farmington River residents at Owensgrove in Grand Bassa County.
Defendant Henry Gweh briefing reporters on the environmental situation of the Farmington River in Owensgrove, Grand Bassa County. Photo by Edwin M. Fayia, III
OWENSGROVE, GRAND BASSA COUNTY, What appears to be a visible threat posed by the newly acquired speed boat by the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company has also generated grave concern, worry and frustration amongst the Farmington River residents at Owensgrove in Grand Bassa County.
Liberia's Endemic Plants and Animals Attracts the Universe
Published: 28 June, 2007
There is a tremendous task the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government agencies including the Civil Society have to undertake environmentally in keeping plant and animal species in their natural state.
Waste collection site in Monrovia, right, Scavenging through waste: this man is taking plastic bottles that will be used as container for water or oil by sellers Photo by C. Jablasone
UNEP Rallies Stakeholders on Waste Management
Published: 25 June, 2007
MONROVIA, Major stakeholders involved with the environment in Liberia will meet at a key workshop beginning today for a “comprehensive sector review” for sustainable waste management.
GLOBAL IVORY TRADE SUSPENSION APPROVED
Published: 21 June, 2007
The HAGUEGovernment delegates today approved a compromise document to deal with the highly contentious continent-wide debate over the future of elephant conservation and the international sale of elephant ivory. After two weeks of intense deliberations, closed-door meetings, and Ministerial interventions, Parties accepted a plan to allow sale of current ivory stockpiles from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, while instituting a moratorium on further ivory trade for a period not less than nine years following the sale.
GOL Actions Threaten New Forestry Law Violation
Published: 15 June, 2007
FDA Managing Director John T. Woods Photo by Edwin M. Fayia, III
MONROVIA, Twelve non-governmental organizations under the umbrella of the NGOs Coalition for Liberia have sent an open letter to the Forestry authorities raising concern about Government's plans.
Grand Cape Mount County And Environmental Degradation
Published: 07 June, 2007
The Superintendent of Grand Cape Mount County, Madam Catherine N. Watson says fishing Communities in the County, especially those around the capital are environmentally unfriendly, thereby causing destruction to areas occupied.
Nanoscale Iron Could Help Cleanse the Environment
Published: 30 May, 2007
Arlington, VA An ultrafine, "nanoscale" powder made from iron, one of the most abundant metals on Earth, is turning out to be a remarkably effective tool for cleaning up contaminated soil and groundwater--a trillion-dollar problem that encompasses more than 1000 still-untreated Superfund sites in the United States, some 150,000 underground storage tank releases, and a staggering number of landfills, abandoned mines, and industrial sites.
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global initiative devoted to celebrating the beauty of migrating birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide. This year's celebration took place on the 12 May 2007 under its central theme, “Migratory Birds in a Changing Climate.”
A huge pile of waste products dumped by scrap dealers at the Paynesville Red Light market
Photo by Edwin Fayia, III
Scrap Business Poses Big Environmental Problem
Published: 21 May, 2007
MONROVIA, May 21,---The scrap business in war-torn Liberia has become one of the most lucrative enterprises amongst hundreds of Liberians and their foreign partners.
Squatters Blamed for Wetland Abuse
Published: 16 May, 2007
Mr. Flomo P. Molubah Photo by Fatoumata Fofana
MONROVIA, May 17,---A professional Liberian environmental conservationist has outlined the extent to which the Mesurado Wetlands are being grossly abused by squatters and the need to urgently arrest the dangerous situation.
A renowned forester and environmentalist has stressed the need for the Government of Liberia to create a National Tree Trust Fund (NTTF) for the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) in order to enhance the value of National Tree Planting Day (NTPD) in Liberia.
Wise use of water for garden and lawn waterings not only helps protect the environment, but saves money and provides for optimum growing conditions.Simple ways of reducing the amount of water used for irrigation include growing xeriphytic species (plants that are adapted to dry conditions), mulching, adding water retaining organic matter to the soil, and installing windbreaks and fences to slow winds and reduce evapotranspiration.
EPA/UNEP Conclude Training for 30 Environment Inspectors
Published: 02 May, 2007
With Liberia expected to resuscitate her economy through industrial acceleration, including expanding her extractive industry, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have sponsored a training of 30 inspectors to monitor the country's environment.
EPA/UNEP Train Environment Inspectors
Published: 27 April, 2007
Mr. Ben Donnie, EPA Executive Director (l) with Dr. Shannon at the Opening session
MONROVIA, April 27,---At least 30 people are undergoing a 5-day training sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for environmental inspectors.
Mr. Donnie inspects the 3 bikes while Mr. Watson looks on
MONROVIA, April 25,---In support of drives to extend its operation across the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over the weekend received three motorbikes from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Liberia.
The Ganta Tropical Storm: A Challenge to Liberia's Environment
Published: 19 April, 2007
Flashback: the Ganta storm raged inland, render hundreds homeless
In March 2007, a severe tropical storm raked and disrupted normal life for the people of Ganta, in Northern Liberia. The storm left scores of people severely injured and destroyed close to 200 residential homes, offices, schools, and a hospital building. Indeed, the people of Ganta definitely deserve special care and attention for this great misfortune. However, unless, corrective steps are taken in the immediate future to compensate for years of unregulated mining, hunting, farming, and deforestation activities across Liberia, the Ganta tropical storm will be only a symptom of the many environmental problems that Liberia is likely to face now and in the future.
FDA CLARIFIES ON FOREST RESOURCES OWNERSHIP
Published: 11 April, 2007
The Management of the FDA says that information from the public and potential investors that there are individuals or institutions out there claiming that they have deeded forest lands to which they are attracting forest investors is never the case, the management through the Managing Director, Mr. John T. Woods quickly reacted to these people and provides a vivid clarification on this subject.
THE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY & MY GENERATION
Published: 05 April, 2007
The 8th March edition of the Daily Observer page four lead story and an article by a contributor captioned, “Accountability over impunity the price we pay” placed me in a position to critically analyze these thoughts.
Amb. Booth Launches Civilian Conservation Corps
Published: 21 March, 2007
GRAND GEDEH COUNTY, March 21,---In order to protect the Sapo National Park (SNP) from further destruction by illegal hunters and miners, the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Donald E. Booth, recently launched the “Liberian Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).”
Animal Smuggling Increases in Nimba
Published: 11 January, 2007
Mr. Matthew Trape, Agriculture Ministry Quarantine Officer in Ganta
MONROVIA, January 11 --The plant quarantine officer of the Ministry of Agriculture assigned at the Ganta Collectorate in Nimba County has disclosed that the smuggling of livestock into the country has increased in the county.
GRAND BASSA COUNTY, December 22 --First a plum tree fell on his house at midnight; few days later, another plum tree fell upon another house nearby destroying the edifice and forcing the inhabitants to seek refuge among their neighbors.
