Damon Matthews is an IPCC author and climate scientist at Concordia University. He is a member of Canada’s independent federal climate advisory council, and last week he sounded the alarm on the state of Canada’s climate action. His remarks counter a recent union-friendly, think-tank-supported report. As that report explains, carbon dioxide levels have already jumped to shocking new extremes in 2024. Matthews emphasizes that Canada must resist external pressures, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has disparaged climate change as a “con job.”
Indeed, Matthews’ message is urgent. The second report comes at a critical time, detailing grim statistics about the dramatic increase of planet-warming emissions. He argues that this trend is becoming a major risk to the world’s ambitious climate targets set under the Paris Agreement. At the pace we’re going, we are a very long way from the new normal. It’s only going to keep getting worse and worse until we actually fix the problem at the root cause,” Matthews said.
In June, Matthews joined more than 60 other scientists to outline their Argument for Plains Protection in a detailed report. They forecast that the world will pump enough new greenhouse gas emissions over the next three years to exceed the universally acknowledged target of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This scary prediction is meant to underscore the urgent, important need for bold and disruptive action.
Matthews emphasizes that ensuring ongoing and expanded greenhouse gas monitoring will be critical for advancing smarter, more effective climate strategies. The integrity of Canada’s climate policy is on the line now, particularly as outside forces try to pull it in the other direction. He calls for resilience against any attempts to backtrack on climate commitments, particularly amid the backdrop of escalating greenhouse gas levels.
The scientist’s remarks resonate with ongoing discussions about Canada’s role in global climate initiatives. Countries are already facing the effects of climate change. In reaction to the ruling, Matthews implores Canadian leaders not to cave to climate backsliding in any form.
“Sustaining and expanding greenhouse gas monitoring are critical to support such efforts.” – Oksana Tarasova
