Protecting the Sunshine?
Every March and November, Americans outside of Hawaii and Arizona are clamoring to reset their internal clocks back or forward one hour. Friendly reminder to save you from being late to a meeting or an appointment on March 12th, that time is upon us once again.
When I was a mom to toddlers, I dreaded that week in November when morning chaos began at 5:00 a.m. instead of the usual 6:00 a.m., and then I was reaching for pajamas when the sun set at 5:30 p.m. During that autumn week, while we all adjusted, I would shake my fists in the air and curse my farmer ancestors.
As it turns out, Daylight Saving Time, first implemented in the United States in 1918, wasn’t meant to help the farmers. (Sorry ancestors! I never really cursed you.)
In fact, I’ve just learned that farmers generally oppose the practice. Rather, the initial goal of seasonal time changes is energy conservation, so that time reflects our waking hours.
In March 2022, the U.S. Senate had enough with the clock shenanigans. Agreeing on *very* little else, senators from both political parties unanimously agreed that seasonal time changes made no sense, and passed The Sunshine Protection Act.
Unfortunately, the spring and summer sunshine is not officially protected yet. The bill, which would make the clock changes on March 12, 2023 our last, is yet to pass the House.
How does Daylight Saving Time affect your everyday life? Do you think there is a compelling reason for the seasonal times changes to continue?
