Última actualización Jueves, 20/03/2025
Imagine a world without Daylight Saving Time (DST) – no more clock changes, just uninterrupted weekends and well-rested Monday mornings. What will that look like?
It’s a Saturday evening in early March or November. You’re comfortable reading with your favourite book or watching a popular show. You fall asleep without any worries.
Then, on Sunday morning, you wake up at your usual time—no rushing to change the clock, no trying to remember if you should move the clock forward or back. Sounds like a dream, right? But what if I told you this could be real if we stopped using Daylight Saving Time (DST)?
As we said farewell to DST on 3 November, many of us are left wondering: What would life look like without this biannual ritual? Would we finally get to enjoy our weekends without the dreaded groggy Mondays? Imagine waking up feeling as fresh as a daisy instead of like you’ve been run over by a truck.
Why Do We Keep This Madness?
So why do we cling to DST like a toddler clings to their blankie? Let’s break it down:
More daylight: The idea is that by shifting an hour of daylight from the morning (when most of us are still snoozing) to the evening (when we’re out and about), we can enjoy more outdoor activities after work. Because who doesn’t want to play golf at 8 PM?
Energy conservation: Originally, DST was meant to save energy by using less artificial light in the evenings. But let’s be honest, most of us still use lights a lot.
The Impact of Time Changes
Now, let’s talk about how these clock changes mess with our bodies. Our circadian rhythm—the fancy term for our internal biological clock—gets thrown into chaos every time we change the clocks.
And don’t get me started on “social jet lag.” which happens when your body’s natural sleep schedule doesn’t match up with your daily responsibilities, like work or school (finally found the term for my chaotic sleep schedule).
Global Perspectives on Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is approached differently around the world, with some countries embracing it and others opting for its abolition.
● Countries That Have Abolished DST:
Türkiye stopped observing DST in 2016 when the government decided to adopt a permanent standard time to improve daily life and reduce confusion linked with the biannual clock changes.
● Countries That Embrace DST:
In the United States, most states observe DST, with Hawaii and most of Arizona as exceptions. Ongoing discussions consider making DST permanent. Canada generally follows the U.S. model, though Saskatchewan province and some areas do not observe DST.
● Unique Approaches:
Japan has not observed DST since 1951, while China uses a single time zone without DST despite its vast territory. Australia has a mixed approach, with some states observing DST and others not.
Europe Says “No Thanks” to DST
In 2018, the European Commission proposed putting an end to the clock changes across the EU. Turns out, 84% of Europeans were ready to say “adios” to DST! Poland and Finland were particularly enthusiastic due to health concerns and the inconveniences caused, while Greece was like, “Eh, maybe?” But despite the overwhelming support, the European Council has yet to make it official. So for now, they’re stuck with their clocks doing the cha-cha.
What If We Just Stopped?
Imagine waking up on that first Sunday in March without having lost an hour of sleep! You’d feel like you just won the lottery—except instead of cash, it’s just pure, unadulterated rest. And think of all the time saved from not having to adjust your clocks! No more wondering if your microwave is right or if your phone has auto-updated again.
Could this be the first year without daylight saving time in Europe?
Seán Kelly, an MEP from Ireland, has long championed the movement to abolish DST. “The time has come,” he argues, particularly in the current energy crisis, to make a final decision and end the inconvenience.
A group of 67 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have now put DST’s fate back on the table. The Time Use Initiative and other advocacy groups urge the EU Council to adopt “natural time zones” that more closely align with solar time, arguing that these could bring subtle but tangible benefits, from better sleep patterns to improved road safety.
The Bottom Line
So here’s the scoop: abolishing Daylight Saving Time could mean more sleep, less confusion, and maybe even happier people (and fewer impulse buys).
So let’s raise our coffee mugs and toast to a future where we can enjoy our weekends without the clock drama! Now if only we could figure out how to get rid of Monday altogether…
_______________
Young Journalists in Europe – Meet the author
Juliana Zammit
Hello, I’m Juliana Zammit, a 20-year-old journalism student. I have loved writing and telling stories since I was little. Over time, I’ve grown to enjoy learning and researching new things. I also studied photography for two years, which taught me to see the world differently and find beauty in ordinary things. I hope to tell many stories through words and pictures.
This article reflects the views of the authors only. The European Commission and Eurodesk cannot be held responsible for it.