If you got up early to celebrate Pi Day, I hope you didn\u2019t miss it, because\u2026.
It\u2019s that \u201ctime\u201d again. At 2:00 a.m. this morning everyone got out of bed and set their clocks ahead one hour\u2026. then went back to bed knowing that they\u2019d just lost an hour of sleep. These spring and fall clock changes continue a long tradition started by Benjamin Franklin to (supposedly) conserve energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Historically, daylight saving time (DST) has begun in the summer months and ended right before winter \u2014 but the rules have changed over the years. In 2007, the rules for DST changed for the first time in more than 20 years. The changes were enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and extended the length of DST in the interest of reducing energy consumption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rules increased the duration of DST by about a month. DST is now in effect for 238 days, or about 65% of the year. When the policy act was passed, Congress retained the right to revert to the prior law should the change prove unpopular or if energy savings were not significant.\u00a0
Even though any energy saving is questionable, the new policy remains in effect:
DST begins at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of March
DST ends at 2:00 a.m\/ on the first Sunday in November<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most people that I\u2019ve talked to lately, think it should be done away with, but despite the complaints, DST isn\u2019t all bad news. One benefit seems to be a decrease in crime. One study found that the start of DST in the spring was associated with a drop in robberies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But for now, like it or not, we\u2019re into Day Saving Time \u2014 if it\u2019s confusing to you, just think about the guy that asked, \u201cdaylight saving time \u2014 why are they saving it, and where do they keep it?\u201d
\u2014 30 \u2014\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you got up early to celebrate Pi Day, I hope you didn\u2019t miss it, because\u2026.It\u2019s that \u201ctime\u201d again. At 2:00 a.m. this morning everyone got out of bed and set their clocks ahead one hour\u2026. then went back to … Continue reading