Can We Save Time With the Sunshine Protection Act?

April 2022  :  Francine Jackson

Do you realize the Sun needs protection? According to our Washington Senate, the “Sunshine Protection Act” was just voted on unanimously.

If you haven’t heard, our legislators, not happy with the changing of the clocks twice a year, decided to vote to keep Daylight Saving Time all year, beginning with the “spring ahead” time in 2023. Many people do like the idea of getting rid of the twice-a-year sleep variation, but it seems the push is more toward keeping Daylight Time. Why?

DST was begun as an energy conserving measure during World War I, where the “extra” late hour meant less fuel needed to generate electricity. After the War, DST was continued, but not by all, until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 required all states to implement it; however, Arizona and Hawaii still do not.

The reasoning for keeping Daylight Saving Time instead of Standard Time is rooted on the belief that most people like the later sunset times; some even state it will decrease crime. But, there do appear to be certain problems that arise, not the least of which is the fact that altering this time causes problems with our very own circadian rhythms. One of the major studies concerns sleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Standard Time, which aligns more with the Sun, better synchronizes ourselves with nature. Some of us may recall the movie “The City Dark,” which showed that increased light lowered the amount of melatonin in the body, which could cause major impacts on our health. Plus, the AASM states that changing to Daylight Time has been seen to be associated with increased obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Some economists also state the time change, overall, costs the economy over $434 million annually, not only in health, but morning car crashes, and problems with international flights. Not to mention, having to readjust our sundials.

In 1974, Congress did try to enact year-round DST. The results caused so many complaints, and created so many problems, that the twice-a-year time change was quickly resumed.

Several years ago, I found an old legend, whereby Daylight Saving Time is similar to cutting a piece off the top of a blanket, sewing it to the other side, and announcing you now have a longer blanket. If our legislature does want to stop our “spring ahead,” “fall back” ritual, let’s keep time according to the motion of the Sun – let’s keep Standard Time.