SAN JOSE, CALIF.–– With daylight savings becoming a hassle for everyone in America, the debate resurfaces; do we need it?

California is on the verge of making daylight saving time permanent, a move that could eliminate clock changes twice a year. This significant shift is generating excitement and debate among residents as they anticipate the potential impact on their daily lives. 

Twice a year, time changes sweep across the country. Clocks jump forward one hour in the spring to begin daylight saving time and then slide back an hour in the fall to end it. This all started back in 1916 after the Germans adopted the idea of moving clocks to save energy, with the British following after denying it for many years. 

Recently, in March 2022, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act with the intent behind that bill to make daylight saving time permanent starting in the spring of 2023. With reasoning from experts say that preserving daylight saving time permanently could reduce crime, save lives, conserve energy, and improve health. 

However, concerns linger regarding disrupted routines, sleep patterns, and logistical challenges. People debate that permanent daylight saving time resulting in longer, warmer days, could lead to more use of air conditioning; which means more energy consumption. 

Overall, most of America agrees on the fact that daylight saving time should become, and stay, permanent. A student from Silver Creek said, “Once the sun comes down earlier in the evening, it makes me exhausted and unmotivated to do things I would normally do during spring and summer time while the sun was up until eight in the afternoon.”

Ultimately, we should all look forward to the eventual hot weather coming back in summer with longer, sunnier days ahead of us. It’s going to be a summer to remember!