As we’re reminded each spring and fall, time changes are disorienting and disruptive. But the renewed movement to make Daylight Saving Time permanent is misguided—maybe even dangerous.
Yes, DST might get us home before sunset in the winter. At what cost, though? The mornings would be brutal. If Standard Time were eliminated, dawn would come ridiculously late to many North American cities:
| City | December 21 sunrise time if DST were permanent |
|---|---|
| Chicago | 8:15 AM |
| Washington, D.C. | 8:23 AM |
| Seattle | 8:55 AM |
| Calgary | 9:37 AM |
| Anchorage | 11:14 AM |
Few of us enjoy waking before dawn. Imagine if your morning commute and arrival at work happened in the dark, too.
That’s not just an annoyance; it could have serious public health implications. Human circadian clocks thrive when we’re exposed to early-morning sunlight—that’s why light therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder is often administered immediately after waking.
What would happen if the entire continental population got dramatically less morning sun? The public health impact might be epidemic. ◾
Matt Hauger 