It’s that time of year again when we bid farewell to shorter days and welcome the return of longer daylight hours. Daylight saving time makes its annual comeback tonight, March 9, so be sure to set your clocks forward before you go to sleep. As the clocks strike 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10, daylight saving time officially begins, marking the start of an extra hour of sunlight in the evenings.
While losing an hour of sleep might not sound like the most thrilling prospect, the trade-off is we gain more daylight for outdoor activities and enjoying the spring weather.
The transition to daylight saving time also serves as a reminder to check and replace the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, ensuring the safety of your home and loved ones.
Daylight Saving Time in the news
The concept of daylight saving time dates back over a century, with the primary goal of maximizing daylight during waking hours and conserving energy. However, in recent years, critics have questioned its relevance in modern society. Advocates argue that extending daylight into the evening hours promotes outdoor activities, reduces energy consumption, and boosts the economy by encouraging consumer spending. They point to studies showing a decrease in traffic accidents and crime rates during daylight saving time. On the other hand, opponents argue that the time change disrupts sleep patterns, negatively impacts health and productivity, and has minimal impact on energy savings. They cite research suggesting an increase in heart attacks and strokes immediately following the transition to daylight saving time, as well as a rise in workplace accidents and injuries. Despite the ongoing debate, efforts to abolish or alter daylight saving time have been met with mixed success. Some states have passed legislation to eliminate the practice altogether, while others have proposed measures to make daylight saving time permanent. In March 2019, the European Union voted to abolish the biannual clock change starting in 2021, allowing member states to choose between permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time. However, the decision has yet to be fully implemented, leaving the fate of daylight saving time in Europe uncertain. Here in the United States, proposals to end or modify daylight saving time have been met with resistance at the federal level. While some states have passed laws to adopt daylight saving time year-round, federal law still mandates the semiannual time change.
