End of time change, is it coming soon ?
End of daylight saving time: Why does the debate still tick?
While daylight saving time has become the norm, it has been challenged by governments for several years and is expected to be eventually abandoned in Europe. Analysis by our Charlie Paris team : Between economic reasons and the well-being of the population, we look back at the origins of this system and its uncertain future.
A century of adjustments: From 1911 to the present day
France has a complex relationship with time. Here are the major milestones that have shaped the time on your wrist:
- 1911: France officially adopts the time GMT.
- 1916: In the midst of war, the country introduced a "summer time" (GMT+1) to save energy.
- 1940: During the Occupation, France adopted Berlin time. We switched to GMT+2 in summer and GMT+1 in winter. After the Liberation, the country decided to remain at GMT+1 year-round.
- 1976: President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing reinstates the summer/winter cycle. The price of oil has quadrupled, and aligning the workday with sunlight helps reduce electricity bills.
- 1998: This measure is harmonized across the entire European Union to facilitate trade and transport.
A device that has become obsolete?
Today, many experts agree that the actual benefit is virtually nil. With the widespread adoption of energy-efficient light bulbs (LEDs), the energy savings have evaporated. A study by EDF and ADEME concluded that in 2014, the system only saved 0.015% of total energy consumption. A negligible gain compared to the drawbacks.
Health and safety: The other side of the coin
The time change doesn't just impact our bills, it also affects our bodies:
Sleep disorders: The switch to summer time is particularly disruptive to our biological clock. An average increase of 5% in heart attacks is observed in the week following this change.
Road insecurity: The switch to winter time makes the evenings darker and more dangerous. According to the Ministry of the Interior, there is a 50% increase in accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. during the following week.
Towards a definitive end, but when?
In 2018, an online consultation by the European Commission revealed that 84% of the 4.6 million participants wanted to end the system. In March 2019, MEPs voted to abolish daylight saving time.
The problem? Each country has to choose its own final time zone:
- Daylight saving time: Popular with the French during consultations at the National Assembly for the long evenings of June.
- Winter time: Supported by chronobiologists, because it is closer to solar time and better respects our physiological rhythm.
With the Covid-19 crisis, the European Council has put the matter on hold. The reform is no longer an immediate priority and its implementation has been postponed indefinitely. For the time being, you will therefore have to continue to have your watches serviced twice a year.
Changing the clocks is much more than simply manipulating the hands of the clock: it reflects major crises and transformations in our society. From Benjamin Franklin's ingenuity to the economic necessities of the oil shocks, we have long sought to bend time to save energy.
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You may be surprised to learn that the time change stems from historical, geopolitical and economic decisions.
Many of you wear your Charlie Paris watch, but when the time change When you find yourself wondering again how to fix your watch. Don't worry, the Charlie Paris team is here to help you !
