A group of 67 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are calling for the abolition of daylight saving time due to its negative impact on health. The MEPs raised concerns about the outdated practice of changing the clocks, citing negative effects on sleep cycles, traffic accidents, and heart attack rates. They argue that it is time to end the biannual clock change, as it has been proven to have detrimental effects on health, well-being, and safety. The call for abolition was made in a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, co-signed by MEPs from various European countries and political groups. A 2017 study found that the impacts of changing clocks on human biorhythms are more severe than previously thought, with inconclusive benefits or drawbacks for sectors such as agriculture.
Daylight saving time was originally introduced in the UK and Germany during the First World War to conserve coal. However, more recent research has shown that there are insignificant energy savings from the practice. The current practice of changing clocks to make use of natural daylight is governed by a 2001 EU directive, which mandates the clocks to go back at 1 am GMT on the last Sunday in October, and to be put forward again on the last Sunday in March. An online consultation on the practice conducted by the European Commission in 2018 received a record 4.6 million responses, with 84% in favor of abolishing the clock change. Despite this overwhelming support, the plans were stalled due to the arrival of the Covid pandemic and the change in leadership at the European Commission.
The European Commission spokesperson stated that the decision on the 2018 proposal to abolish daylight saving time still lies with the EU’s Council, which represents member states and has not yet reached a position on the matter. The Commission had previously concluded that member states are best placed to decide whether they want to keep permanent summer or wintertime, to avoid fragmentation. The issue of daylight saving time is expected to be discussed further as Ursula von der Leyen begins her second mandate at the helm of the EU executive, with her top team of 26 Commissioners undergoing confirmation hearings by MEPs starting on 4 November. The call for abolition of daylight saving time is seen as a practical and popular measure by MEPs, who believe that ending the clock change will have positive impacts on health, well-being, and safety.
In conclusion, the push to abolish daylight saving time in Europe is gaining momentum, with MEPs highlighting the negative impacts of the practice on health and safety. Calls to end the biannual clock change have been supported by a study showing severe effects on human biorhythms and inconclusive benefits for sectors such as agriculture. Despite widespread agreement across political spectrum and strong public support for abolishing the clock change, the decision still rests with member states in the EU’s Council. The issue is expected to be revisited as the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen begins its new mandate, with Commissioners undergoing confirmation hearings by MEPs. The debate over daylight saving time is likely to continue, with efforts to address its impact on health and well-being at the forefront of the discussion.
