Daylight Savings Time

    The sun is starting to shine more, the weather is warming up, the flowers are starting to bloom, the trees are growing new leaves, people are coming out of hibernation in their homes, Spring is on its way.  This also means that daylight savings time is here.  It started at 2:00 a.m. on March 11 and we sprung ahead an hour. This brings happiness for some people because the days will be lighter longer which means that you can spend more time outdoors, but others aren't so happy about losing an hour of sleep.  Why do we have daylight savings time? And, who thought of it?

    The idea of Daylights saving time was thought of by a very famous man, Benjamin Franklin.  Benjamin Franklin realized that people could make better use of daylight and save a lot of resources such as the oil burned in lamps.  The idea of Daylight Saving time really took off during World war I, when Germany became the first state to adopt it.  By doing this they saved a lot of coal for the war effort.  The United States set up a federal law for the start and end times of Daylight Saving Time in 1918, but it was not mandatory for states to participate.  Today, Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas Islands don't recognize Day Light Savings.  However, during World War II, Daylight Saving Time was mandatory for the whole country in order to save resources for the war. During world War II Daylight Saving Time was recognized year round. After the war, Daylight Savings went back to being optional.

    Does Daylight Saving Time really save energy?  Studies have been done that support both sides of this argument. Some studies have shown that since and hour is added to the evening when it's warmer the use of air-conditiong cancels out the amount of electricity saved.  Other studies have shown that Daylight Saving Time does save electricity.  other factor such as location and climate are thought to have effects on whether or not energy is actually saved.
    Some studies have also shown that Daylight Savings leads to an increase in people doing active activities such as jogging and a decreased amount of time watching TV.  Other Studies have shown that Daylight savings can be harmful to health because it messes with a persons circadian rhythm.  one study even found that the risk for heart attacks increases in the beginning of spring after the time change. 
    Daylight Savings Time has both positives and negatives.  Some people love it and other don't.  Whether you like it or don't just don't forget to set your clock ahead so that you don't show up late to your next event! :)

Info:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/12/120309-daylight-savings-time-2012-what-time-is-it-spring-forward-nation/
Picture:
http://newperspectivesradioshow.wordpress.com/2011/03/26/clock-goes-forward-one-hour-tonight/