Day Daylight Saving Time
Daylight savings time is defined as an adjustment of time to create longer lengths of sunshine in the summer. This notion of elongated summer days was first introduced in 1918, when America was at war with many different countries (Source A). The reasoning behind this was to conserve more energy for the soldiers fighting overseas. However I was repealed the following year. It was brought about again during World War II, for the same reason. It has undergone many changes, but still remains in effect today. The latest change to the institution was that it was to begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday of November. Even though it supposedly conserves energy, is it actually worth it?
Studies have proven that the rate of
energy actually goes down by one percent during daylight savings time (Source B). While seemingly miniscule, one percent of the entire nation’s energy is actually a massive amount. Since America is one of the world’s leaders in energy consumers, it is safe to say that one percent can make a difference. If more people are aware of this change, then maybe others will be more inclined to join the fight against the wasting of energy. Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Eastern Time Zone portion of the State of Indiana, and most of Arizona still don’t abide by the institution (Source B), and those regions can make an even larger difference. Energy conservation is incredibly important to the welfare of the world, and daylight savings time can improve the world’s energy condition.
Though daylight savings time has been proven to conserve energy during the length of the institution, there have been studies that there is more of a demand for energy after daylight savings is over. “The real increases come in the fall when DST appears to increase consumption between 2 and 4 percent (Source F).” This could be because many people are staying up later after daylights savings, therefore, the energy usage is much greater. So daylight savings time could actually have negative consequences. While daylight savings time has a positive effect on the environment, it is not necessarily safe to humans. In a study between 1987 and 1991, the number of fatal car crashes at night skyrocketed in the number of weeks after the end of daylights savings time (Source D). This is because the average human’s circadian rhythm does not adapt to the amount of daylight there is. This causes “restlessness, sleep disruption and shorter sleep duration. (Source E)” These side effects could be related to “heart attacks, suicides and accidents. (Source E)”
Daylight savings time is controversial. Many people believe that there is a good change in energy usage, conserving more energy for people and the earth, while others believe there is no effect at all, except for the amount of sleep people get at night. However, many have proved that this conserves energy, and at this crucial period in our world’s history, energy is needed more than ever. Therefore, keeping daylight savings time, and expanding it to all of the nation and its territories is highly recommended.
Studies have proven that the rate of
energy actually goes down by one percent during daylight savings time (Source B). While seemingly miniscule, one percent of the entire nation’s energy is actually a massive amount. Since America is one of the world’s leaders in energy consumers, it is safe to say that one percent can make a difference. If more people are aware of this change, then maybe others will be more inclined to join the fight against the wasting of energy. Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Eastern Time Zone portion of the State of Indiana, and most of Arizona still don’t abide by the institution (Source B), and those regions can make an even larger difference. Energy conservation is incredibly important to the welfare of the world, and daylight savings time can improve the world’s energy condition.
Though daylight savings time has been proven to conserve energy during the length of the institution, there have been studies that there is more of a demand for energy after daylight savings is over. “The real increases come in the fall when DST appears to increase consumption between 2 and 4 percent (Source F).” This could be because many people are staying up later after daylights savings, therefore, the energy usage is much greater. So daylight savings time could actually have negative consequences. While daylight savings time has a positive effect on the environment, it is not necessarily safe to humans. In a study between 1987 and 1991, the number of fatal car crashes at night skyrocketed in the number of weeks after the end of daylights savings time (Source D). This is because the average human’s circadian rhythm does not adapt to the amount of daylight there is. This causes “restlessness, sleep disruption and shorter sleep duration. (Source E)” These side effects could be related to “heart attacks, suicides and accidents. (Source E)”
Daylight savings time is controversial. Many people believe that there is a good change in energy usage, conserving more energy for people and the earth, while others believe there is no effect at all, except for the amount of sleep people get at night. However, many have proved that this conserves energy, and at this crucial period in our world’s history, energy is needed more than ever. Therefore, keeping daylight savings time, and expanding it to all of the nation and its territories is highly recommended.