A report indicates that summer temperatures in most European capitals have risen sharply over the past 30 years.
The study by World Wildlife Fund (WFF) International says the findings add to evidence of the accelerating impact of climate change.
In Australia, snowfall followed one of the hottest Aprils the country has ever seen.
Scientists say it is radical temperature changes like this which show the damage we are doing to the environment.
The new research on weather in Europe shows that European cities are seeing a sharp increase in summer temperatures. Dublin recorded one of the lowest increases in temperatures at just 0.7 degrees celsius, while Madrid had the highest.
Martin Hiller of WWF International explains that the research found a warming of up to two degrees in summer months over the last 30 years.
That is a spotlight of how climate change is actually hitting Europe.
While the study focuses on Europe, evidence of global warming can be found throughout the world. Western Siberia has warmed faster than almost anywhere else on the planet. The pattern is repeated in Greenland where scientists examining glacial melting say the impact of global warming is becoming more and more apparent. US astronauts have even commented on the visual impact of global warming from space.
Scientists say the key to repairing it is to act quickly.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 11 August 2005. The reporter is Fiona Mitchell.
