Yes, Sunday November 2nd is the date of the ‘time change’ again… time to set the clock back an hour. For AMS it doesn’t cause much of a disruption as we move off Daylight Savings. We’re accustomed to it, having done it for years.
What we could ask is the ‘why’ of it. Why was it beneficial to create Daylight Savings Time, which means… set your clock back one hour in the Fall, and set it forward an hour in the Spring? Is there a measurable benefit?
We asked google… what good does daylight savings do… and we received the following answer:
“The main benefit of daylight saving time (DST) is having more daylight in the evening, which supporters say leads to benefits like increased outdoor activity, reduced crime rates, and potential energy savings. More daylight in the evening may also boost the economy by encouraging more shopping and outdoor recreation.”
The time change does have a measurable effect on international trade, causing a temporary mismatch in trading hours, but let’s look at the benefits to see if these benefits really do exist.
Does DST allow for more activities and sports after work or school… yes, we can confirm that as a positive. Does DST increase shopping and spending, giving people more daylight hours to be out and about… yes, it’s quite likely it does. Does DST create energy savings… apparently this is a matter for debate nowadays.
As to the negatives, it is argued that the change can lead to sleep deprivation, as it disrupts the body’s internal clock and sleep pattern. The other negative is one we already mentioned… some issues for international business.
History of Daylight Savings Time
Interestingly, the history of DST began way back in 1916. Germany adopted it during World War I as an attempt to conserve energy. The US followed suit in 1918 and apparently it was inconsistently utilized until the US passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966 with further modifications made in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This Act made the start of DST the second Sunday in March and the end the first Sunday in November.
There are some exceptions to DST, and those include the State of Arizona, the State of Hawaii, and the territories including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The Navajo Nation in Arizona does participate in DST.
Sunshine Protection Act
As we mentioned, there is a law in discussion that aims to make DST permanent. It’s named the “Sunshine Protection Act.” Apparently it has not passed the House but it did pass the Senate. If it passes into law it will make DST the permanent standard time. If it becomes law, States can still refuse and be exempt. The arguments for and against are the ones that we introduced earlier. Here below is the info Google gives us:
“The bill has been reintroduced in the current Congress, but no further action has been taken since its referral to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
“Arguments for: Proponents argue it would lead to benefits such as reduced crime, fewer traffic incidents, and longer evening hours for outdoor recreation.
“Arguments against: Opponents argue that permanent standard time would be more aligned with natural circadian rhythms, leading to safer morning commutes and improved student welfare.”
Whether good or bad, it’s time to ‘fall back’ on Sunday, November 2nd. For most of us, the biggest issue will be getting an extra hour of sleep! That’s what the opponents mean by disruption of our natural rhythms! Whether we like or dislike DST, it is the reality and at AMS Fulfillment we’ll manage just fine. So…. dear readers, remember to ‘Fall Back’.
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