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World Affairs, Economy
Mahesh

29/03/23 13:45 PM IST

Daylight Saving Time

In News
  • Lebanon was thrown into mass confusion after its government at the last minute delayed the start of daylight saving time by a month.
About DST
  • According to Norway-based Time and Date, DST is the practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from the standard time during the summer and back again in the autumn.
  • This is done to make better use of natural daylight as it extends daylight into the evening.
  • India does not follow daylight saving time as countries near the Equator do not experience high variations in daytime hours between seasons.
  • The practice of DST began in Canada in 1908 when the residents of Port Arthur, Ontario—today’s Thunder Bay—turned their clocks forward by one hour to start the world’s first DST period.
  • Other locations in Canada soon followed suit. DST caught on globally after Germany and Austria introduced it on April 30, 1916, to minimize the use of artificial lighting and save fuel during World War I.
Benefits
  • One of the primary benefits of DST is that it maximizes the amount of natural light available during the longer days of summer.
  • This practice can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as people rely less on artificial light and air conditioning.
  • Furthermore, DST can reduce traffic accidents and fatalities, as there is more daylight during peak driving hours.
Issues
  • Despite the benefits of DST, it is not without its drawbacks. Many people argue that the disruption of the body clock due to the time change has adverse health effects.
  • A study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine showed that the incidence of heart attacks increased by 24% on the Monday following the spring DST transition.
  • Another study found that DST could cause a higher rate of workplace injuries, due to decreased alertness and concentration.
Recent Issue
  • Lebanon usually sets its clocks forward an hour on the last Sunday in March.
  • However, this year, its caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that the clocks would be reset on April 21.
  • The confusion was created as some institutions, including Christian churches, reset their clocks despite Mikati’s decision.
  • Thus, airlines, cell phone operators, schools, workplaces, etc., are no longer following the same time.
Source- Indian Express

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