Sunshine Protection Act

Winter is here, and with it comes the annual switch to daylight savings time. While the change in time may not seem like a major issue, it has led to a renewed push for the Sunshine Protection Act.

This bill, which was introduced in Congress in 2019, aims to make daylight savings time permanent by eliminating the “fall back” period that currently happens in November. This means that we would no longer have to go through the annual ritual of changing our clocks twice a year.

Why is this important? For starters, it would provide more sunlight in the evenings year-round, which could have a significant impact on public health and safety.

Studies have shown that the switch to daylight savings time in the spring leads to a spike in heart attacks, car accidents, and workplace injuries. This is partly due to the disruption of our internal clocks, which can take several days to adjust to the change in time.

In contrast, the transition to standard time in the fall has been linked to an increase in depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as the shorter days can lead to a lack of sunlight and vitamin D.

By making daylight savings time permanent, we would be able to avoid these negative health effects and reap the benefits of more sunlight. This includes a boost in mood and energy levels, as well as improved productivity and alertness.

In addition, the Sunshine Protection Act could have economic benefits. Studies have shown that more daylight in the evenings can lead to increased spending on outdoor recreation and tourism, as well as a reduction in energy consumption from lighting and heating.

Furthermore, eliminating the fall back period could have a positive impact on the environment. With fewer hours of darkness in the evenings, there would be less need for streetlights and indoor lighting, which would reduce our carbon footprint and save energy.

While the Sunshine Protection Act has gained support from both Democrats and Republicans, it still faces opposition from certain groups who argue that it would disrupt the schedules of farmers, schoolchildren, and other groups.

However, proponents of the bill argue that these concerns are unfounded. In reality, farmers and other groups would simply adjust their schedules accordingly, just as they do when traveling across time zones.

Furthermore, the benefits of more sunlight would far outweigh any potential difficulties in adjusting to the change. As we continue to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a permanent switch to daylight savings time could provide a much-needed boost to our mental and physical well-being.

In conclusion, the Sunshine Protection Act represents a necessary and beneficial change to our current system of timekeeping. By making daylight savings time permanent, we would be able to avoid negative health effects, boost our economy, and reduce our environmental impact. It’s time for Congress to act on this important issue and give us a little more sunshine in our lives.