As the end of March approaches, many people in France and across Europe are preparing for a familiar ritual: the switch to summer time. This transition, which takes place during the night of Saturday, March 29, 2025, to Sunday, March 30, 2025, signals that clocks will jump forward from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM, costing the public one precious hour of sleep.
First introduced in 1916 during World War I, the change to daylight saving time was originally implemented to conserve energy. France temporarily abandoned this practice in 1944 but reinstated it again in 1975, following the oil crisis of 1973-1974. The aim was simple but strategic: by extending natural daylight into the evenings, the reliance on artificial light could be trimmed, thus helping to conserve electricity during a time of heightened energy costs.
Fast forward to today, and while the notion of saving energy remains, the effectiveness of this system is hotly debated. A report by the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME) revealed that, in 2009, the energy savings attributed to the change were about 450 gigawatt-hours (GWh), representing roughly 0.07% of the nation’s total energy consumption. However, that number has dwindled over the years; the ADEME currently estimates that by 2030, energy savings might sink to just 258 GWh, a small fraction of national energy use.
Interestingly, new technologies like LED bulbs and increasing awareness among towns and cities about nighttime lighting are diminishing the anticipated benefits of daylight saving time. In 2009, the clock change allowed for a reduction of 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of needed power around 7 PM. However, projections show that by 2030, this power reduction will stabilize at around 2 GW.
Despite the historical establishment of daylight saving time, many French citizens and Europeans alike have expressed mixed feelings about retaining this practice. A public consultation held by the National Assembly in 2019 revealed that 84% of participants favored abolishing seasonal time changes altogether. Announced more recently, the European Commission has expressed intentions to revisit this topic within its 2025 work program.
As the public sentiment regarding time shifts continues to evolve, opinions among experts also vary. Dr. Isabelle Poirot, a psychiatrist specializing in sleep disorders, cautions against abrupt changes to one's internal rhythm as the clock changes. She recommended that, for most individuals, it is better to rise at their normal wake-up time on the day of the switch rather than indulging in extra sleep.
For many, gaining an hour of sleep during the wintertime switch - where the clocks drop back and one more hour of rest is possible - does not occur with the same enthusiasm. Instead, the summer transition, which strips away a sleep hour, often requires a period of adjustment. People might find themselves needing to settle into a new routine.
With the sun setting later in the afternoon and the prospect of lighter evenings, advocates of daylight saving time argue that it encourages people to be more active in the evenings, promoting outdoor activities and potentially benefiting local economies. Yet despite these claims, the full effects of this seasonal time change still remain to be seen; studies into how it impacts health and energy efficiency are ongoing.
Moreover, the ongoing discussions around energy conservation also intersect with environmental concerns. By 2030, the seasonal time change is projected to result in reductions of CO2 emissions between 70,000 to 100,000 tonnes, which, while minor in the larger context, still represents a positive step toward environmental stewardship. Observers note that such efforts, considered alongside other measures like energy-efficient structures and products, could complement existing initiatives toward emissions reduction.
As nations balance tradition with modern sensibilities and environmental responsibility, the future of daylight saving time remains uncertain. While it encourages longer evenings and theoretically promotes energy savings, practical realities and evolving technology may signal that the change could become a relic of the past.
As the night progresses from March 29 to March 30, the usual time shift will continue as it has for decades, leaving many to ponder whether this age-old practice will endure in the years to come. For now, individuals are reminded to adjust their clocks in sync and brace for the additional hour of sunlight - and perhaps an hour less of slumber.
