Autumn landscape in Devon, England, illuminated by morning sunlight in 2012.
Daylight Saving Time (DST), a practice that extends the evening hours of daylight by setting clocks an hour ahead during the summer months, has been a topic of debate for over a century. Till Roenneberg, a chronobiologist at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany, suggests that the human body's circadian clock never adjusts to the changing chronology of DST, leading to decreased productivity, quality of life, and increased susceptibility to illness.
The question of DST's energy savings is a contentious one. While some studies suggest that DST may produce energy savings through reduced lighting, others argue that the gains are offset by increased air-conditioning use or higher energy demands during darker mornings. A 2008 study by Matthew Kotchen and colleagues found that Indiana paid higher electric bills after adopting DST due to increased air-conditioning use.
Not all nations embrace DST. Most Asian and African nations avoid DST altogether, while South America features a mix of different DST and non-DST schedules even among neighboring nations. In contrast, the USA, with the exception of Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas Islands, observes DST. The practice has been influenced by various industries, including the golf and barbecue industries, which have historically supported it, arguing it benefits business operations and evening activities.
The airline and energy industries in the USA have also supported the continuation of DST, arguing it benefits business operations and energy savings. However, the TV industry is among the practice's opponents, as a week-long shift in DST causes a significant drop in viewership. Some farmers, including dairy farmers, still don't like DST as it disrupts their animals' natural milking schedules.
A White House petition to end DST entirely stalled because it failed to garner the required number of signatures. Congress isn't currently exploring ending the practice, suggesting that it may be here to stay. A 2012 study by Martin Young found that the risk of heart attack surges by 10% on the Monday and Tuesday after moving the clocks ahead an hour each spring.
Despite the controversy, some industries have profited from DST. The golf industry estimated that an extra month of DST was worth $200 to $400 million, while the U.S. barbecue industry pegged their increased profits at $150 million for that same additional month. However, these gains are balanced against the negative health effects and decreased productivity that some argue DST causes.
In March 2013, a Rasmussen Report found that 37% of Americans surveyed thought DST is "worth the hassle," while 45% said it was not. As the debate continues, it seems that the future of DST remains uncertain, with some calling for its abolition and others advocating for its continued use.
