Link to article: https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/liberia-gets-us17-2-m-to-protect-west-point-against-coastal-erosion/
On March 19th, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) permitted a $17.2 Million grant for the Monrovia Metropolitan Climate Resilience Project. The purpose of the grant is to fund prevention methods for coastal erosion throughout West Point. West Point is a small peninsula in Liberia. Because of the land’s proximity to the ocean, it is currently experiencing devastating levels of erosion.
The Monrovia Metropolitan Climate Resistance Project will also combat other aspects of climate change such as rising sea levels and urban encroachment into natural ecosystems. The project was developed because Liberia is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its geographic location.
The project has the support of both the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia and the United Nations. The UN is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preserving world order and promoting human rights.
The long term effects of the project are estimated to directly benefit about 250,000 Liberians living in the area of focus. The project is also assumed to indirectly benefit around one million Liberians around the country.
By controlling the negative effects of erosion, the project will improve the health of the ocean as well as nearby soil quality. Over time, this will lead to higher crop yields, more plentiful fishing, and better quality water. Politically, Liberia will also be able to expand its coastal defenses, making it less vulnerable to outside attack.
One of the first actions that will be taken to prevent erosion will be to build a rock retrievement. Waves coming in will hit the rocks and lose power before reaching land, meaning that less sediment will be picked up and eroded.
Over time, the natural landscape will begin to heal as erosion rates decrease, and people will be able to return to their normal lives. Until then, this is a strong first step by the government of Liberia toward controlling the effects of erosion and subsequently, climate change.