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Why the US kept Daylight Saving Time

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Summary

In the United States, Daylight Saving Time was first implemented during World War I in order to conserve fuel and power. The current March to November system began in 2007. During World War II, Daylight Saving Time was made permanent. During the energy crisis of the 1970s, it was made permanent again, but the law was repealed after eight schoolchildren were hit by cars in the dark. In March 2022, the US Senate passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but the House of Representatives failed to vote on the bill. On March 2, a bipartisan group reintroduced the legislation to end clock switching in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time, and a companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. The argument for and against Daylight Saving Time is ongoing, as studies have shown both positive and negative effects.

Q&As

What is the history of Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time has its roots in train schedules, but it was put into practice in Europe and the United States to save fuel and power during World War I.

How did the US make Daylight Saving Time permanent during World War II?
The US kept Daylight Saving Time permanent during most of World War II to conserve fuel and keep things standard.

What are the pros and cons of Daylight Saving Time?
Pros of Daylight Saving Time include more car accidents when people lose an extra hour of sleep, robberies decline when there is an extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day, and people seem to be happier when there is an extra hour of daylight. Cons of Daylight Saving Time include disruptions to body rhythms tuned to Earth’s rotation, more heart attacks at the start of Daylight Saving Time, and difficulty for farmers to get their food to the market in the morning.

What impact does Daylight Saving Time have on the economy?
The economy pays for the extra outdoor fun in the sun, but the energy saved isn’t much — if anything at all. Different sectors of the economy lobby for Daylight Saving Time, such as the recreational sports industry and the movie industry.

What is the current status of the legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent in the US?
On March 2, a dozen senators forming a bipartisan group reintroduced the legislation that would end clock switching in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time. Companion legislation to the Sunshine Protection Act was introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Republican from Florida, in the House. The bill would need to pass the House of Representatives and be signed by President Joe Biden to become law.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides an informative and interesting overview of the history and implications of Daylight Saving Time.

👎 This article fails to provide a clear conclusion on whether Daylight Saving Time is a beneficial practice.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about why the US kept Daylight Saving Time. It talks about the history of Daylight Saving Time and the pros and cons of keeping it.

Friend: Interesting. What are some of the implications of the article?

Me: Well, one implication is that the US is likely to keep Daylight Saving Time for the foreseeable future, even though there are pros and cons to it. Another implication is that Daylight Saving Time affects different people in different ways, depending on their lifestyle and interests. For example, recreational sports businesses benefit from the extra hour of daylight while movie theaters may not. Finally, most studies show that energy savings from Daylight Saving Time are minimal, if any.

Action items

Research the pros and cons of Daylight Saving Time in other countries.
Sign up for CNN’s Sleep, But Better newsletter series to learn more about achieving better sleep.
Reach out to your local representatives to voice your opinion on the proposed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.

Technical terms

Daylight Saving Time (DST): A system of adjusting clocks forward one hour during the summer months to make better use of daylight and conserve energy.
Standard Time: The time of year when clocks are not adjusted and remain at the same time.
Gallup: An American research-based, global performance-management consulting company.
Energy Crisis: A situation in which the demand for energy exceeds the available supply.
Adobe Stock: A stock photo and video library.
4-7-8 Method: A breathing technique developed by Dr. Andrew Weil to help people fall asleep.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics: A division of the US Department of Transportation that collects, analyzes, and publishes data on the US transportation system.
Sunshine Protection Act: A bill introduced in the US Senate in March 2022 that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent.