Environmental Impacts of ‘Do We Gain or Lose an Hour’
The ‘do we gain or lose an hour’ time adjustment, commonly known as Daylight Saving Time (DST), has both environmental impacts and benefits. On the one hand, DST can reduce energy consumption by promoting natural lighting and discouraging peak-hour electricity usage. Studies show that shifting clocks forward in spring and back in fall can save energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting. Additionally, DST can promote outdoor activities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. However, DST can also disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and potential health implications. It can also affect wildlife, as the altered timing of sunrise and sunset can disrupt their feeding and breeding patterns.
