Duke Seo

2L (2026), ELR Staff Member

Climate change is reshaping seasons globally, especially by creating hotter and longer summers. This shift has become increasingly evident as summer temperatures rise to unprecedented levels and extend into the fall. As temperatures rise, ecosystems, economies, and human health are significantly impacted.

The Changing Seasons

Climate change is aggravating summers across the world. Research shows that summers increased by about two weeks globally between 1952 and 2011, and predictions suggest that they will continue lengthening if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. In the Northern Hemisphere, global climate change is not only lengthening summers, but also shortening winters. The EPA has consistently observed this trend over recent decades and expects it to continue. 

South Korea is an example of a country in the Northern Hemisphere that has been experiencing intense, long summers. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, South Korea’s average annual temperature has risen by 1.8°C (3.2°F) over the past century, with summers becoming longer and heat waves more intense. The country saw a record-breaking 31 days of extreme heat in 2018, which caused health problems, power shortages, and agricultural damage.  These endless summers also increase drought frequency and demand for electricity due to reliance on air conditioning. 

Impacts on Human Health and Society

Longer summers and more frequent heat waves are causing a rise in heat-related illnesses and deaths. According to a report by Climate Central, over 90 million people in the United States experienced more than 30 days of risky heat in 2024 alone, a number made at least twice as likely by human-caused climate change.  “Risky heat days” are days with temperatures above the 90th percentile in the area from 1991 to 2020. These extreme temperatures disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, the elderly, and outdoor workers. 

In South Korea, the urban heat island effect exacerbates these heat-induced issues. Cities like Seoul experience significantly higher temperatures than rural areas during the summer, worsening air quality and increasing energy consumption. Heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and respiratory complications, are becoming more prevalent, especially among elderly populations. 

Climate Change and Hurricanes in the United States

In addition to extreme heat, climate change is intensifying  hurricanes in the United States. Category 4 and 5 hurricanes happen more frequently because climate change-induced warmer sea surface temperatures create stronger winds and heavier rainfall. The U.S. Global Change Research Program reports that hurricanes in recent years are stronger and produce higher rainfall than in previous decades. For example, hurricane Ian in 2022 demonstrated how climate change can exacerbate storm intensity. Ian rapidly intensified, producing massive rainfall and devastating storm surges in Florida. Scientists have observed that storms like Ian are becoming more common as the planet warms, leading to greater destruction and economic costs.

Legal and Regulatory Efforts

The United States has been implementing legal and regulatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience. For example, the Biden-Harris Administration made the country’s largest investment in climate resilience through the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation funds projects to reduce the risks from climate-related disasters such as extreme heat and flooding.. 

Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program has provided nearly $1 billion to protect communities from heat-induced natural disasters through upgrading infrastructure, creating shaded public spaces, and mitigating floods.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also working on the country’s first-ever federal safety standard for excessive heat in the workplace to protect workers exposed to high temperatures.

Despite these measures, experts warn that without reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the United States will continue to face increasingly dangerous weather. 

Conclusion

The extended summer season is a reflection of how dramatically global climate change has harmed the environment. To address its consequences, countries must implement a combination of legal, regulatory, and technological solutions, along with a concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As summer temperatures and storms continue to worsen globally, the stakes couldn’t be higher.