Language
Country/Area
No result found
Exploring the Daylight Saving Time Controversy: Why Do Many States Want Permanent Daylight Saving Time?
With the advancement of science and technology and society, people's demand for time is also increasing, which makes the daylight saving time system begin to receive widespread attention. All states in the Pacific Time Zone, including California and Washington, are facing an important question: Should daylight saving time be maintained permanently? Since the 2010s, many state legislatures, polls, and legislative moves have expressed support for permanent daylight saving time.
According to California's 2018 referendum, 59% of voters approved the proposal, authorizing the Legislature to use daylight saving time year-round with congressional approval.
Daylight saving time dates back to the 20th century as a way to save energy and increase efficiency during daytime activities. The core of this system is to move the clocks forward one hour in spring and back in autumn. This approach initially received widespread support, but opposition grew over time.
Many scholars point out that long-term adjustment of biological clocks may have negative effects on people's health, such as insomnia, anxiety or increased incidence of heart disease. In response to these concerns, some state legislatures have begun exploring the possibility of permanent daylight saving time, which would undoubtedly change long-standing concepts of time.
Washington state passed a bill in 2019 to switch to permanent daylight saving time, subject to congressional approval, and Oregon followed suit.
In addition to health factors, the economy is also an issue that cannot be ignored. Many businesses say permanent daylight saving time would boost the economy by giving consumers more time for shopping and entertainment. Especially for those industries that rely on sunlight and daytime working hours, they hope to be able to carry out activities during sufficient light hours.
However, not everyone supports the change. Some experts and the public believe that permanently maintaining daylight saving time will affect the sunrise time in winter, and children may still have to walk in the dark on their way to school, which not only affects safety but is also detrimental to health. They argue that seasonal adjustments are still needed to accommodate the needs of life in different seasons.
"In theory, permanent daylight saving time can make our lives more convenient, but we must not ignore the possible shadows it may bring." commented a public health expert.
Against this backdrop, the Canadian province of British Columbia quickly followed the lead of the United States in considering how to adopt a long-term plan without affecting local economic activities. Faced with the same daylight saving time controversy, Mexico has also begun reviewing its time system to avoid confusion between states bordering it in the United States and Canada.
At the core of this debate is the redefinition of the concept of time and its adaptation to real needs. Changes in time zones affect the way society operates, both in terms of business and life. As the concept of sustainable and eternal time becomes more and more important, governments at all levels and the public need to continue to think about the best solutions.
Ultimately, this controversy gives us a question worth pondering: In the ever-changing modern society, do we still need to rely on past time norms to formulate future lifestyles?
