DRAGONS REBORN: The rise and fall and rise again of dragons. Photo Contributed

DRAGONS REBORN: The rise and fall and rise again of dragons. Photo Contributed Contributed

RESEARCH to be published in the prestigious journal Nature tomorrow indicates that increasing temperatures will result in an explosion of fire-breathing dragons around the world.

The authors say that dragon numbers declined during cool periods in history, such as the so-called Little Ice Age, but are likely to make a comeback as the planet warms.

Additionally the researchers say throughout history, fire-breathing dragons have been known to favour knights as a food source.

They recommend that countries, like Australia, avoid honorific titles to avoid attracting the attention of hungry dragon hatchlings.

Emilia Clarke stars as Daenerys in Game of Thrones

University of Melbourne School of Resource Management lecturer Dr Andrew Hamilton said the phrase "human-induced climate change" continued to illicit scepticism whenever mentioned, so he would not at all be surprised that this finding would be treated with extreme suspicion, if not contempt.

"Many believe that dragons have been extinct for at least 300 years, and some even believe they never existed-despite considerable evidence to the contrary," he said.

"As temperatures increase, their activity will be devastating-there is no question about this.

"Something needs to be done urgently."

