Throughout history, the Moon has copped more than its fair share of the blame for everything from outbreaks of erratic behaviour to fluctuations in libido.

Key points:

• NASA says a lunar cycle will combine with rising sea levels to drive major tidal flooding events
• It expects the phenomenon's effects to become noticeable in the mid-2030s
• Scientists say fingers should not be pointed at the Moon, but climate change

But no less an authority than NASA is warning of a perfect storm of sorts, as an upcoming phase of a lunar cycle combines with rising sea levels to exacerbate the effects of climate change.

The finding is contained in a study by NASA's Sea Level Change Science Team, at the University of Hawaii, which said the main reason was the impact a "regular wobble in the Moon's orbit" would have on tides in about 15 years' time.

"The combination of the Moon's gravitational pull, rising sea levels, and climate change will continue to exacerbate coastal flooding on our coastlines and across the world," NASA administrator Bill Nelson said.

Read the full article on the ABC website, featuring Prof Mark Howden