Daylight savings time has been a topic of discussion for decades, and the European Union (EU) had announced a plan to abolish it back in September 2018. The proposal was met with mixed reactions from member states and citizens. However, since the initial announcement, little has been heard of the plan. What happened to the EU’s proposal to abolish daylight savings time, and where does the issue stand now? In this article, we will explore the progress of this plan, the hurdles it has faced, and the potential outcomes of its implementation.
As daylight saving time approaches, many are wondering about the European Union’s plan to abolish the practice altogether. In 2018, the EU announced that it would look into ending the biannual clock changes, and member states were required to choose between permanently adopting “summer time” or “winter time.” However, progress on this front has been slow, and the final decision is now set to be postponed until at least 2021.
While the EU’s plan to abolish daylight saving time may have hit a roadblock, some countries have already taken matters into their own hands. In March of this year, Russia announced that it would not be observing daylight saving time in 2020, and would maintain the same time throughout the year. Belarus also decided to stop the clock changes, choosing to remain on “winter time” year-round.
As for the rest of Europe, the debate over daylight saving time continues. Proponents of the practice argue that it reduces energy consumption and provides more daylight for outdoor activities in the evenings. However, critics claim that the time changes can disrupt sleep patterns, harm productivity, and even increase the risk of heart attacks.
As the clock change approaches, it’s important to remember the potential impacts on our health and well-being. The disruption to our sleep patterns can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and other negative effects on our mental and physical health. To mitigate these effects, experts recommend gradually adjusting our sleep schedules in the days leading up to the clock change so that our bodies have time to adapt.
In any case, it’s clear that daylight saving time remains a contentious issue with no easy solutions. As the EU works to move forward with its plan to end the practice, individual countries will continue to make their own decisions on whether or not to observe the clock changes. Ultimately, it will be up to each individual to decide whether or not the benefits of daylight saving time outweigh the potential downsides.
