For most states, November means a biannual ritual of changing the clocks: the magical, longstanding practice of confusing our internal sense of time as we gain (in November) or lose (in March) an hour of precious zzz’s. The idea of eliminating— or keeping—Daylight Saving Time, or DST, has been proposed repeatedly across the nation. So, why do we still have it?
WHAT IS DST AND WHAT’S THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING IT?
DST has been the subject of debate for years. It’s the practice of setting the clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. This twice-annual time change has been used in the US since 1918, though the dates and rules for its observance have changed many times. DST affects most Americans and is observed by nearly all U.S. states every March and November. However, the necessity and relevance of DST have come under scrutiny, leading to a growing trend to reconsider its continuation.
RETHINKING DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
In the past five years, 19 US states have introduced legislation to either eliminate DST or make it permanent throughout the year. The discussion is primarily about the disruptive effects of changing clocks twice a year and the perceived minimal energy savings. The Sunshine Protection Act, a proposed federal law to make DST permanent, has been introduced in Congress several times since 2018, but has failed to pass.
The debate revolves around whether it's better to have more sunlight in the morning or evening.
Some argue that DST provides longer evenings for outdoor activities, reduces energy consumption, and boosts the economy. Others contend that the time changes disrupt sleep patterns, have negative impacts on health, and do not significantly save energy. Research remains inconclusive about which time setting conserves more energy.
THE SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA
In California, talk of eliminating DST has been ongoing. In November 2018, Californians approved a ballot measure allowing the Legislature to change the DST period, but the measure didn't actually end it. There have been several failed attempts to make DST permanent, but federal law does not currently allow for it. California lawmakers are now taking a different approach, introducing bills to make standard time permanent without needing federal approval.
THE FUTURE OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
The ongoing discussions and growing trend to eliminate or make DST permanent reflect increased awareness of the potential impacts of an age-old practice. Whether DST will be eliminated in California and other states remains to be seen, but it is clear that the debate surrounding DST continues to evolve as more states reevaluate its relevance in modern society.
So, as we prepare to “fall back” to standard time on Nov. 3, let’s toast to the timeless debate about DST— because one thing's for sure: the conversation about it isn't ending soon.