'We're losing climate fight': Finkel

Australia's chief scientist has warned the planet is continuing to heat up despite efforts to lower emissions and switch energy sources.

Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel. Source: AAP

Australia's chief scientist says planet earth is losing the battle against climate change.

Dr Alan Finkel told ABC television's Q&A program on Monday actions taken so far to combat global warming weren't enough.

"For all the effort we're putting into trying to avoid increases of emissions, we're losing," he said.

"What we're doing with solar and with wind and changing practices, behavioural practices and things like that, we're not winning the battle."

His comments came on the back of data from the US space agency NASA showing the average global surface temperature in February was 1.35C warmer than the average for the same month between 1951 and 1980.

"That rise is consistent with a trend. Even though it's one month and it's almost aberrantly high, you wouldn't want to dismiss it," Dr Finkel said.

"There is genuine reason for concern."