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As Daylight Saving Time (DST) approaches once again, the heated debate over whether to maintain the practice has once again been revived.
Daylight saving time is the practice of advancing clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock time.
This is done by setting the clocks forward one hour in the spring and back again in the fall.
Benefits of Daylight Savings
There are many benefits in the system which can help individuals and society as a whole.
For example, it leads to reduced energy consumption by shifting electricity demand away from peak evening hours.
This is because people are more likely to use artificial lighting in the evening when it is dark outside.
Some also claim that it provides increased safety as DST can make roads and sidewalks safer by providing more daylight during the hours when people are commuting and walking outdoors.
Additionally, it can lead to improved public health by encouraging people to get more exercise and spend more time outdoors.
In of economic benefits, some argue that DST can boost the economy by increasing tourism and retail sales.
Many parts of the U.S. - and the world - will soon "fall back" as daylight saving time ends. That means an extra hour of sleep - and earlier sunrises and sunsets.
? Mayo Clinic (@MayoClinic) October 31, 2024
How does less sun affect your mood and level of energy? Learn more: https://t.co/SnbBDfztIUpic.twitter.com/bdAVPg9ZlK
Is daylight savings time helpful or harmful?
Overall, the evidence on the benefits and drawbacks of DST is mixed as some studies have shown that DST has significant benefits, while others have found that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
More research is needed to determine the full impact of DST on public health and safety, though there are no strong arguments at present either way.
In 2022, the US Senate ed a bill that would make DST permanent in the United States, but the bill has not yet been ed by the House of Representatives.
Public opinion on DST is also divided, as a 2022 poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 63% of Americans making DST permanent, while 35% oppose it.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep or abolish DST is a political one and lawmakers will need to weigh the evidence on the benefits and drawbacks of DST before making a decision.