☀️ What is daylight savings time (DST)?
☀️ What is DST?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of moving clocks forward one hour at the start of spring and moving them back one hour at the end of fall. The idea is that this gives us more daylight in the evening when we need it most. For example, in the spring we move our clocks forward an hour on March 8. This means that at 2 a.m. it becomes 3 a.m. We "spring forward." In the fall we move our clocks back an hour on November 1. This means that at 2 a.m. it becomes 1 a.m. We "fall back."
To convert time zones with DST taken into account visit ChronoShift.io.
📜 History and current events
The history of DST is long and complex, with different regions of the world adopting it at different times. The United States first adopted DST in 1918, but then repealed it in 1919. It wasn't until 1966 that the U.S. finally standardized DST with the Uniform Time Act.
Just recently, onn March 15, 2022, the US Senate passed a bill that, if passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by the President of the United States, would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. This change would take effect starting in November 2023.
👍 Benefits and Drawbacks 👎
DST is a controversial topic, with some people arguing that it's unnecessary and even harmful. Others argue that it's a helpful way to make better use of daylight. Let's take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of DST.
👍 Benefits of Daylight Saving Time
There are a few key benefits of DST:
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More daylight in the evening: This is the most obvious benefit of DST. By moving clocks forward an hour in the spring, we get an extra hour of daylight in the evening. This is great for activities like gardening, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends outdoors.
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Less crime: There is evidence to suggest that DST reduces crime rates. A study in the United Kingdom found that burglary rates fell by 5% when DST was in effect.
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Less energy consumption: Because there is more daylight in the evening, people are less likely to use artificial lighting (lights from lamps and overhead lights). This means that DST can lead to energy savings of around 1%.
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More productive workers: A study in Finland found that workers were more productive during DST because they had more natural light in the evening.
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Fewer traffic accidents: A study in the United States found that there were 7% fewer traffic accidents during DST. This is likely because there is more daylight in the evening, which makes driving conditions better.
👎 Drawbacks of Daylight Saving Time
There are also a few potential drawbacks of DST:
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Disruption to sleep patterns: The biggest downside of DST is that it can disrupt our sleep patterns. When we "fall back" and clocks go back an hour in the fall, it can be difficult to adjust to the new sleep schedule. This can lead to fatigue and drowsiness, which can increase the risk of accidents.
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Increased risk of heart attacks: There is evidence to suggest that DST can increase the risk of heart attacks. One study found that the risk of heart attacks increased by 24% during the first three days after clocks were moved forward in the spring.
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Increased risk of depression: Some research has found that DST can increase the risk of depression, especially in people who are already vulnerable to mental health problems. One study found that the risk of suicide increased by 5% during DST.
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Difficulty for farmers: Farmers have long opposed DST because it throws off their schedules. Farm animals don't know when to eat when the clocks are changed, and crops can be affected as well.
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Costs for businesses: There are also some costs associated with DST for businesses, such as having to change schedules and update equipment (clocks, computers, etc.).