Liberia’s Environmental Challenges Highlighted At APEX University World Environment Day Celebration
By Alfred Kollie
Monrovia, Liberia–APEX University in Liberia marked World Environment Day with a powerful keynote address delivered by Cephas M.M.D Flanzamaton, who urged students, faculty, and stakeholders to shift from environmental awareness to decisive action in protecting the country’s natural resources.
Speaking under the theme “Environmental Stewardship in Liberia: From Awareness to Action,” Mr. Flanzamaton opened his address with a reflective story illustrating humanity’s neglect of nature, warning that “the Earth is speaking louder than ever” amid rising environmental challenges.
He emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a present reality, humorously noting that anyone doubting global warming should “walk from Broad Street to Red Light at noon without shade.”
Mr. Flanzamaton described Liberia as a nation rich in biodiversity, fertile land, and lush rainforests, but warned that these natural assets are increasingly under threat.
He cited deforestation, unregulated urban expansion, coastal erosion, and poor waste management as major drivers of environmental degradation.
He pointed to critical ecosystems such as the mangroves of Marshall, Sapo National Park, and the Mesurado River, noting that they are under pressure from human activity and require urgent protection.
According to him, rising sea levels threaten coastal communities including West Point and Buchanan, while plastic pollution continues to worsen flooding in Monrovia.
He stressed that these issues represent “existential threats” to Liberia’s future.
Government Urged to Strengthen Environmental Policies
The keynote speaker called on the Liberian government to take stronger action by investing in environmental education, strengthening the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and integrating climate resilience into national development planning.
He further recommended increased support for universities such as APEX University to establish research laboratories, develop green curricula, and promote climate innovation initiatives.
“Education is the most powerful weapon against ecological degradation,” he stated, emphasizing that government investment in environmental learning is an investment in national survival.
Students Tasked as Environmental Ambassadors
Addressing students directly, Mr. Flanzamaton described them as “custodians of the future” and encouraged them to lead environmental advocacy efforts both online and within their communities.
He urged students to use social media platforms to promote environmental awareness, establish eco-clubs on campuses, and actively participate in tree planting, waste segregation, and recycling initiatives.
He also encouraged innovation through the circular economy model, where waste is reduced, reused, and recycled into valuable resources.
Call for Global Alignment and Sustainability
Mr. Flanzamaton called for Liberia to align its environmental strategies with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
He highlighted key scientific concepts including carbon sequestration, ecological footprint reduction, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience as essential tools for national development and survival.
Cultural Reflection and Closing Appeal
Reflecting on Liberia’s traditional values, he noted that past generations once regarded forests, rivers, and land as sacred. He called for a revival of these values in modern environmental policy and practice.
In his closing remarks, he challenged stakeholders to act decisively: “Let us plant trees not only in soil but in minds. Let us recycle outdated mindsets as well as plastics.”
He concluded by calling for collective responsibility, stating that future generations should be able to say Liberia responded to the environmental crisis with action, not silence.