Extreme weather, climate and water-related events have caused 11,778 disasters in the last half century, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said.
Unless measures are taken to curb climate change, summers in the UK and the rest of the northern hemisphere could last for six months come 2100, a study warned.
Researchers from China used historical climate data and modelling to determine how the seasons have shifted in the past, and will likely alter in the future.
Changes could also see winters shrunk down to the span of just two months with far-reaching impacts on agriculture, human health and the environment.
Unless measures are taken to curb climate change, summers in the UK and the rest of the northern hemisphere could last for six months by 2100, a study warned (stock image of Blackpool in summertime)