OPINION (AN COLÚN): It would be better if we didn't fall back with our clocks

THE clocks will go back one hour this Sunday, at 2 a.m. This annual ending of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is something which I wish would never happen, as the hour lost in the evening seems to make the bleak prospect of our light-contracting evenings even bleaker. For many years it's been debated whether we should abolish this ending of DST or not, but nothing ever comes of it and we trundle endlessly along in the company of this most unwelcome status quo.
Proponents argue that permanent DST is better for people's health. Opponents argue the opposite.
Some studies have shown that permanent DST would help cut down on energy costs. Because the sun would be setting one hour later in the evenings, it would mean that the need to use electricity for household lighting and appliances would be reduced. Opponents of DST point out however that darker mornings would mean greater household energy demands.
Much crime is committed during the hours of darkness. If we were to move sunlight into the evening hours it would have a greater impact on crime prevention than it does in the morning. Crime rates are significantly lower in the morning-to-afternoon hours, even when those morning hours occur before sunrise, when it's still dark.
Opponents of permanent Daylight Saving Time argue that it doesn't align with our natural circadian rhythms. They argue that our sleep schedules are guided by the Earth's light and dark cycle and that if we were to shift to consistently darker mornings, our sleep schedules would get thrown severely out of sync. (Some people are sceptical about circadian rhythms. In fact, these rhythms are indeed a real thing). Opponents claim that if our circadian rhythms are not aligned with natural cycles of light and darkness then it can lead to insomnia for many people. (I don't agree with this particular argument, because I feel that an hour lost or gained at either end of the day is not going to make a huge difference to one's circadian rhythm).
Another positive of DST is the additional brightness at the end of the day can mean more outdoor activity for adults and children. A recent study has suggested that children are less active when the clocks go back as they are unable to play outside after school. It's not only children either - many people struggle to find motivation to keep fit when the evenings get darker.
For some the change in seasons and light is a big issue. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) can cause serious depression and is seen more often in women than men.
Daylight Saving Time was first introduced in Germany in 1916 during World War I as an energy saving measure. It was also introduced in Britain and Ireland the same year. We've retained it in Ireland ever since, except for a short period from 1968 to 1971 when the clocks didn't fall back at the end of October. This was a regrettably short-lived period of enlightenment (!) and when Britain reverted to the fall back method in 1969, and some workers complained about the dark mornings, Ireland followed suit. Former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald was one of those who argued against reverting to the fall back method. He appealed to our spirit of independence, urging us not to follow the English! Unfortunately, his argument fell on largely deaf ears.
It's said that the first person to seriously campaign for having an extra daylight hour in the evening was the Englishman William Willet. Born in Surrey in 1856, Willet said that while out horse riding one morning, he noticed that the majority of houses he passed were still shuttered, the windows curtained and he detected the unmistakable air of the occupants still sleeping. He published a pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight.
On 8 February 2018, the European Parliament voted to ask the European Commission to re-evaluate the principle of Summer Time in Europe. After a web survey showing high support for not switching clocks twice annually (84 percent support in the EU overall; 88 percent in Ireland), on 12 September 2018 the European Commission decided to propose that an end be put to seasonal clock changes. Unfortunately, nothing has happened since.
The Sunshine Protection Act is a proposed U.S. bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent year-round, ending the biannual clock changes. Proponents argue it could boost the economy, and increase public safety through more evening light. While the bill has bipartisan support and has passed the Senate in past versions, it has not been enacted into law. Donald Trump is one of those who agrees with the Act.

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