Scientists revealed that global carbon dioxide concentration levels in the atmosphere have passed “a daunting milestone” in March 2015. In early May, a new scientific research led by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that the global average concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere hit a new record high in March 2015, surpassing 400 parts per million (ppm). Such levels have never been observed since the NOAA monitoring activity started in 1957, and scientists believe they have never been reached in the entire history of human civilization. Carbon dioxide concentration levels went from 280 ppm to 290 ppm between 1800 and 1900, and in the last century the rise in concentration registered in one that would normally be expected to happen in 10,000 or 20,000 years. In March 2015, the International Energy Agency (IEA) had reported that greenhouse gas emissions have stabilised over the last two years, but the NOAA research proves that – despite that – the degree of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is clearly still rising. In order to stop this trend, current global emissions would have to be cut by 80%, but even so it would take hundreds or thousands of years for the concentration levels to lower again and reach desirable rates. What scientists criticise is primarily the lack of political will to face the issue; in fact, they highlight that viable ways to shift away from fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal and stop emissions in their tracks exist (for example, relying on a mix of alternative sources of power), but there seems to be a lack of mass mobilization. This proves that hitherto the international community has failed to effectively curb greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, to tackle climate change. The gLAWcal Team LIBEAC project Thursday, 7 May 2015 (Source: Guardian) This news has been realized by gLAWcal—Global Law Initiatives for Sustainable Development in collaboration with the University Institute of European Studies (IUSE) in Turin, Italy and the University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy which are both beneficiaries of the European Union Research Executive Agency IRSES Project “Liberalism in Between Europe And China” (LIBEAC) coordinated by Aix-Marseille University (CEPERC). This work has been realized in the framework of Workpackages 4, coordinated by University Institute of European Studies (IUSE) in Turin, Italy.