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Its most keen advocates say that global warming is gradually ruining the parts of our planet. But the effects of the phenomenon might be felt more positively a little closer to home, after scientists claimed that it would make flowers smell sweeter.

Some flowers could give out a smell that is nine times more fragrant than they currently produce, according to a report. It says that a temperature increase of between 1 and 5 will vastly increase the ability of flowers to produce their sweet smells.

The study suggests that plants are able to produce more terpenes(萜烯) — the chemical that gives it its smell — in hotter conditions. Despite the environmental risk linked to climate change, the effect on flowers could also help bee populations as the stronger smells make flowers easier to be found and pollinated. It also found that the effect could be more important in cooler countries such as the UK and would have a strong impact on fruit trees.

The findings come as the unseasonably warm autumn weather this year has led to reports that plants are being “tricked” into blooming early.