Scientists argue that abolishing the twice-yearly clock change would more closely align the UK to solar time, leading to longer dark evenings in the summer, but more days when the sun sets after 6pm across the year. As we approach the date the clocks go back this year, do you think the UK should axe Daylight Saving Time?
With the clocks set to go back by an hour on October 27, ending Daylight Saving Time and marking the incoming winter – do you think twice-yearly clock changes should be axed?
Sleep experts have called for the abolition of Daylight Saving Time (DST), blaming the clock changes for an increase in cancer cases and car crashes. The British Sleep Society (BSS) have warned that DST is harming our sleep patterns, saying evidence clearly shows that natural daylight in the morning is good for sleep.
Abolishing Daylight Saving Time would mean the UK continues on Greenwich Mean Time – the time when the clocks go back in Autumn – throughout the year, as researchers argue that circadian rhythms are most impacted by clocks moving forward in the spring.
In a statement, the BSS said: “The custom of switching our clocks twice-yearly impacts our behaviour in relation to the timing of the opportunity for sunlight exposure.”
“It is sometimes erroneously assumed that DST provides us with more sunlight but, in fact, all we are doing is changing our behaviour by moving our schedules forward by 1 hr.”
“While this means there is an hour more sunlight after work/school, DST comes at an expense of 1 hr less sunlight before work/school, simply because we get up and travel to and from work/school 1 hr earlier.”
The BSS points to studies carried out in the US that have shown people putting the clocks back suffered a host of detriments. It added: “These detriments include less sleep, dysregulated circadian rhythms, higher cancer incidence, more fatal traffic accidents, increased rates of obesity, poorer cardiovascular health, increased rates of suicide, and shorter life expectancy.”
DST was first introduced in the UK during First World War in an effort to reduce energy and increase war production. It is currently used in over 70 countries worldwide, affecting over one billion people each year.
However, scientists argue that abolishing the twice-yearly clock change would more closely align the UK to solar time, leading to longer dark evenings in the summer, but more days when the sun sets after 6pm across the year.
Professor Malcolm von Schantz of Northumbria University said GMT “aligns closely with the natural light-dark cycles of the day and night” and “natural daylight in the morning is crucial for maintaining an optimal alignment of our body clocks with day and night, which is essential for optimal sleep and overall health.”
In response to the original article about the BSS’ calls to abolish DST, Mirror readers were split in the comments. Citylife said: “I just think the current system makes better use of daylight. In Winter lighter mornings saves lives. In summer longer evenings means more chance to enjoy being outside longer.”
In contrast, Mrs Ted wrote: “I can’t see the point of changing the clocks. It was introduced in 1916 to increase war production, allegedly, so has been unnecessary for quite some time and seems to serve no useful purpose now at all, it’s just become a habit. Two thirds of the world’s countries don’t do it at all.
“As for it getting dark at 9pm in the Summer well ….. so? Most people in most countries are not out working the fields and need the light, they’re in the Pub or watching the telly.”
What do you think? Should the UK axe Daylight Savings Time? Take our poll and have your say in the comments.
