Clocks fall back, but the debate over daylight saving time ticks on

As clocks across Cyprus and much of Europe turned back an hour early Sunday, the annual ritual of falling back once again sparked the question: Is it time to let go of daylight saving time?

The biannual clock change—dating back over a century—was originally adopted to make better use of daylight during the spring and summer months, reducing energy costs and benefiting industries such as agriculture. The idea first gained traction in the early 20th century when countries sought ways to conserve energy during World War I and, later, World War II.

Benjamin Franklin first floated the idea in 1784 as a way to save candles. However, it wasn’t until 1916, when Germany and Austria-Hungary put it into practice to conserve coal during World War I, that the concept took off. Soon after, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States followed suit.

Today, more than 70 countries around the world observe daylight saving time, although Europe and North America account for most of these. However, in recent years, studies have questioned the relevance of the twice-yearly clock change, citing minimal energy savings in modern times as well as health risks.

In 2019, the European Parliament voted to end daylight saving time, but the pandemic delayed implementation, leaving member states to decide individually. Cyprus, aligned with the European Union’s schedule, has continued with the time change, and local residents adjusted their clocks once again this weekend.

Critics argue that the time shift disrupts sleep patterns and has been linked to increased risks of heart attacks, car accidents, and work-related injuries, particularly in the spring when clocks “spring forward.” Proponents, however, say keeping the time change can encourage evening activity and potentially boost the economy.

For now, Cyprus and much of Europe will continue to follow the tradition, but with growing interest in standardizing time, this could be one of the last years the country resets its clocks. And while the debate over daylight saving time may tick on, for now, many will enjoy an extra hour of sleep.