Two Canadian scientists say that between 1951 and 1999 the intensity of extreme rains and floods increased by seven per cent in all of the northern hemisphere.
Published in the journal Nature, the research has found that the increase is twice what was predicted by climate modelling.
Dr Xuebin Zhang, a research scientist based at Environment Canada, said it was clear human activity had caused more intense weather.
"Our research provides the first scientific evidence that human-induced greenhouse gas increases have contributed to the observed intensification of heavy precipitation events," Dr Zhang said in a statement.
Dr Francis Zwiers from the University of Victoria said the evidence led the researchers to a phenomenon that influenced precipitation on a global scale.
Warmer air, more rain
"The only thing we can think of is the changing composition of the atmosphere. Warmer air contains more moisture and leads to more extreme precipitation," Dr Zwiers said.
Even though the researchers do not have equivalent weather data for the southern hemisphere, they believe the same increase in rainfall affects the entire planet.
The study follows widespread debate about recent flooding in Australia.
Greens MP Adam Bandt told parliament this month Australians may have been given a glimpse into a future of dramatic climate change during the spate of summer disasters.
Some "loud and partisan voices" had tried to shout down any discussion about climate change in relation to the floods, Mr Bandt said.
On Friday, the federal government's multi-party climate committee, set up to investigate ways to price carbon, will meet in Canberra.
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