The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) yesterday joined other countries around the world celebration of the 40th anniversary of World Environmental Day.Yesterday celebration for EPA was held under the theam; 'Green Economic: Does It Includes You.'

EPA Executive Director, Madam Anyaa Vohiri, explained that this year theam is all about seeking the well being of the people of Liberia in benefiting from our nature resources with out destroying the environment. Madam Vohiri stressed that it is the responsibility of every Liberian to make sure that the environment is clean and preserved for the well being of everybody.She said, while it is true that government is doing every possible to keep a clean and productive environment, each and every Liberian has the responsibility to building their homes, fishing in the waters, farming etc in the way that will not deplete the environment. Madam Vohiri, called on the government and the private sector for support in managing the Liberian resources in the best interest of the country and its citizens with out any environmental effect.

For his part, the Former Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), John T. Woods underscored the needs for the complete conservation of the Liberian environment especially the forest. He said even though the 'Green Economic' is the environmental goods and services that adequately provide what we need, but the forest plays a very important role in the function of the environment.According Mr. Woods, besides forest products and non-forest products that flow in economic model of Liberia to enhance GDP growth, the environmental goods and services are real and often not accounted for in what he calls the traditional GDP model.Mr. Woods: "For example, each tree in Liberian forest contains a certain measures of carbon dioxide which is used to manufacture its foods. The same quantity of carbon in that tree is absorbed from the atmosphere of green house gases.

The green house gases are produced by a number of airplanes, factories, ships plying the oceans and even automobiles we used in the streets to come here today."Mr. Woods cited lot of challenges in conserving the Liberian environment. He cited poverty, empowerment, lack of capacity (technical and institutional) as of challenges that undermines environmental conservation in Liberia.