The countdown to the summer time change is on, with clocks turning forward one hour on March 30, 2025. While some embrace the change, others question its necessity, leading to increased discussions about whether a permanent standard time might be a better alternative. As many prepare for the yearly ritual of changing their clocks, the world watches closely to see the varied ways different cultures approach this phenomenon.
Since its inception in Germany during World War I in 1916, daylight saving time (DST) has sparked a vast array of debates regarding its merits and drawbacks. Following a complicated history, where countries like Belarus and Russia have opted out since 2011, the practice of shifting the clocks has largely been a norm across Europe and North America. However, legislatures in many nations debate its future.
As of 2025, five countries have abolished the time change, with Belarus leading the charge, opting for standard time throughout the year since 2011. Russia also did away with clock adjustments, initially adopting permanent summer time before reverting to standard time, which remains unchanged today. More recently, Ukraine followed suit in 2024, while Turkey made history in 2016 by adopting permanent summer time.
Interestingly, some locations have never participated in daylight saving time. Iceland is notable for its consistency, having maintained a standard time since 1968. Spain's situation offers a different perspective; owing to past political decisions, it now finds itself living in the wrong time zone for over 80 years, being one hour ahead of nearby Portugal.
Additionally, in 2022, Mexico abolished daylight saving time, yet some states like Sonora and Quintana Roo still adhere to this practice, raising questions about the efficacy and logic behind such variations.
China experimented with daylight saving time from 1986 to 1991, but reverted to a single time zone—Peking Time—year-round, despite its vast geographical stretch. It demonstrates the complexities surrounding timekeeping in different regions and the decisions made based on socio-economic considerations.
Similar shifts happen across the equator, where countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Uruguay adjust their clocks oppositely to Europe, usually around September or October.
Notably, the upcoming time switch creates numerous inconveniences. Starting March 30, most people will lose an hour of sleep by moving clocks from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., but not all are excited about the change. On the contrary, in Germany, this twice-yearly clock adjustment has sparked a prolonged debate on its relevance. Since its enactment in the 1980s, many have become confused about the direction of the change, prompting a common mnemonic that links the seasonal changes to outdoor furniture placement: “In spring, put out the garden chairs, and in winter, bring them back in.”
Despite attempts by the European Commission in 2018 to abolish the time change altogether, legislative support dissipated, leaving many feeling caught in an outdated system. According to the Federal Environment Agency in Germany, the long-held belief that daylight saving time saves energy is being questioned. The bureaucratic body has reported that energy consumption patterns have not significantly changed; while people may use less electricity in the evening, earlier wake times lead to increased heating use. Moreover, balancing leisure activities against energy consumption presents a substantial challenge.
Furthermore, warnings from traffic safety advocates such as the ADAC highlight risks associated with fatigue when clock changes occur, especially for drivers. The unpredictability of wildlife behavior due to time changes can also lead to dangerous encounters with animals like deer, as the peak times shift to coincide with busy traffic hours. “Animals know neither time zones nor daylight saving, and this poses a serious risk to motorists,
