Some countries change their clocks according to the seasons in order to save energy by extending the duration of daylight in the evening during periods when natural brightness is reduced.
The concept of daylight saving time primarily dates back to World War I, around 1916. The idea was simple: to move the hands of the clock to better match the actual length of the day, in order to waste less natural light and save a bit of energy (especially coal, which was very precious at the time). In fact, it was Benjamin Franklin who had the idea earlier, as far back as the late 18th century, but he didn't really convince anyone at that time. Later, in 1895, a certain George Vernon Hudson (a New Zealand entomologist passionate about insects) seriously proposed shifting the clocks to better enjoy his evenings hunting for insects. The idea gained some traction only during the world wars, before reemerging after the oil crisis of the 1970s. Since then, some countries still change their clocks, but for others, the matter has been settled for a long time.
As the seasons change, the length of the day naturally varies: long days in summer, short days in winter. These changes directly influence daily life. To better align with the natural rhythm of sunlight, some countries move their clocks forward or backward. The result: people enjoy more sunlight in the evening during nice days, and the cold, dark mornings in winter are somewhat limited. This shift is commonly referred to as daylight saving time or standard time, a simple and practical way to optimize daily activities according to the available light.
The purpose of changing the time was mainly to save energy. By delaying the hour, we enjoy the sunlight longer in the evening, which limits the use of artificial lighting. The result: less electricity consumed, especially when the days get longer. Originally, it was also thought that it would boost businesses, outings in the city, and leisure activities, all thanks to an extra hour of daylight after work. Initially, it was designed to ease the collective wallet and lighten the national energy load. Today, these benefits are less clear because habits have changed. People stay connected, use more electronic devices, and lighting accounts for a much smaller share of our overall energy consumption.
Shifting from one hour to another disrupts our internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm. Each change can cause sleep disturbances, irritability, and even a decrease in concentration, especially in the days following the transition. Some studies even point to a temporary increase in heart attacks and road accidents just after the time change, likely due to accumulated fatigue. Our bodies thrive on regularity, so when we impose this abrupt shift, it struggles a bit to keep up. These effects do not affect everyone to the same degree, but often children, the elderly, or those already weakened are the most sensitive to this temporal stress.
The time change regularly sparks debates because it sometimes disrupts habits and well-being. Some scientists claim that it can cause sleep disorders or mood instability, especially in children and the elderly. Others believe that the economic or energy benefits are minimal, if not non-existent today, given how our ways of living and working have evolved.
In response to these criticisms, several countries are seriously considering the outright abandonment of seasonal time changes. Alternatives are emerging, such as the choice to permanently adopt daylight saving time (more light in the evening) or standard time (brighter in the morning). The European Union, for example, has already consulted its citizens on this issue, and a large majority would favor eliminating these transitions twice a year. These reflections show that the very idea of adjusting the time each season is no longer necessarily relevant for everyone.
Did you know that within the same country, some regions may not observe daylight saving time? This is the case, for example, in Arizona and Hawaii in the United States.
Did you know that not all countries observe seasonal time changes? Only about 70 countries around the world regularly practice it today.
Did you know that originally, daylight saving time was introduced to save fuel during wartime? It was implemented on a large scale for the first time during World War I.
Did you know that some countries have abandoned daylight saving time after using it for years, like Russia in 2011, arguing that its disadvantages outweighed its advantages?
When daylight saving time begins, we move the clock forward by one hour to make better use of natural light in the evening. Conversely, when returning to standard time, we set the clock back by one hour to gain more morning light.
Historically, the main objective was to reduce energy consumption (artificial lighting). However, according to several recent studies, these savings are limited, if not disputed, due to increased use of heating or air conditioning in particular.
The change in time can disrupt the internal biological clock, causing sleep disturbances, increased stress, or decreased alertness. These disruptions are generally temporary but can be problematic for some sensitive individuals.
No, not all countries change their clocks. Some countries prefer to keep a single time throughout the year to avoid disruptions. This is particularly true for many countries near the equator, where the length of the day varies little with the seasons.
Yes, several alternatives are being considered by some countries, such as permanently keeping either summer time or winter time. This solution would help avoid biological disruptions and ensure time stability throughout the year.
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