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28 March, 2024
 
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Yay or Nay on Daylight Saving Time

One week left to tell European Commission either keep DST or stop changing the clocks

Newsroom

Only one week is left as European citizens are asked to vote whether they want to keep or scrap Daylight Saving Time.

The referendum is part of an effort by the European Commission to assess the EU summertime directive, launched July 4 in an attempt to evaluate whether or not the rules should be changed.

The deadline for submitting comments is August 16.

Following a number of requests from citizens, from the European Parliament, and from certain EU Member States, the Commission took it upon itself to investigate the functionality of having to change clocks twice a year.

The questionnaire is accessible online and replies may be submitted in any EU language, while English is indicated as the preferred choice for the survey.

While changing the clocks was initially based on the notion of saving energy, the jury is still out on that issue

DST was implemented in the United States in 1918 as a wartime effort to save an hour's worth of fuel each day to light lamps and coal to heat homes. 

It went through some chaotic arrangements on and off until 1966 when the Uniform Time Act made DST consistent nationwide.

Many countries or specific districts within countries around the world do not participate in DST.

People in favor of keeping Daylight Saving Time say it allows drivers to commute more safely in daylight, promotes outdoor activities, and stimulates the economy.

But those who oppose Daylight Saving Time say the change is a harmful disruption to health and work productivity, while it is also a costly endeavour. 

While changing the clocks was initially based on the notion of saving energy, the jury is still out on that issue.

Some experts say the use of air conditioning and heating negates any energy saved compared to the old times where cutting back on lights was significant.

TAGS
Cyprus  |  DST  |  daylight  |  clock  |  EU  |  European Commission

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