New research which highlights the hardships that the world could face in the next 50 years if current levels of emissions continue shows the importance of an international climate change deal.

This is the view of John Mitchell, director of climate science at the Met Office, who made the comments after the release of a new report from the Ensembles Project showed that Britain would face more frequent floods and severe storms.

Global warming could cause summer temperatures to reach 40 degrees centigrade in London unless pollution from greenhouse gases is significantly reduced.

Some parts of northern Europe could face increases of up to ten degrees, which would lead to the melting of permafrost and would wipe out endangered birds and animals.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Mitchell said: "This latest research emphasises the necessity to make drastic cuts in emissions as quickly as possible if we are to avoid dangerous climate change."

The warning comes ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Change summit, which will run from December 7th-18th 2009.