Two examples of time zones used in the US and some other nations are daylight savings time and standard time. It is crucial to keep in mind that not all nations have these time zones, and the majority of them only observe them occasionally throughout the year. (Aries, Myriam and Guy 1859). Standard time is typically abbreviated as EST and daylight savings time is typically written as EDT. In the US, daylight savings time starts in the late winter and is implemented by moving the clocks forward by one hour. (Kotchen, Matthew and Laura 1173). Standard time starts when daylight savings time ends during fall, and it occurs by falling back time by one hour. This mini-essay will investigate these two time zones as used in the US and some other countries.
The daylight savings time is a seasoned time change measure. It involves setting clocks ahead of time usually by an hour (Kotchen, Matthew and Laura 1178). At the beginning of DST, there is a late rising and setting of the sun as compared to the previous day. It is currently used by about “40% of countries globally in making better use of daylight” (Aries, Myriam and Guy 1861). DST is also important in energy conservation. The impact of DST in over 70 countries globally makes it an important time zone
DST involves changing the clocks and does not necessarily create extra daylight. However, it leads to a shift in the rising and setting of the sun. This may cause “circadian rhythm by disrupting our normal body clock” (Kantermann et al. 1998). It has been associated with lack of sleep because the extra one hour set forward might imply losing an hour of sleep in the next morning. It can also trigger mental illnesses such as “seasonal affective disorder and bipolar disorder” (Kantermann et al. 2000).
Standard time is also referred to as normal time or winter time. It is used by more than 60% of countries globally. The rest of the countries use DST in the summer months by setting their clocks forward by an hour (Bartky 26). The standard time often has a shorter period as compared to the DST period. For instance, a majority of European countries have five months of EST and seven months of DST (Bartky 33).
Some countries prefer to change their standard time from time to time (Bartky 26). Some of the common reasons are economic in nature. Standard time can be changed to facilitate trade with other countries and to boost tourism. Some changes are purely political in nature such as in North Korea. There are also some countries who switch standard time back and forth instead of using DST (Bartky 41). Standard time is an important time zone not only in the US but globally.
Conclusion
In summary, the standard time is the most commonly used time zone in the world. It is used by about 60% of all countries in the world as compared to the 40% who use DST. I personally think that the standard time is a better time zone than daylight savings time. Despite the fact that DST is important in energy conservation, it has been associated with various problems. DST is associated with sleeping problems as well as mental problems such as the bipolar disorder. On the other hand, standard time can be changed to facilitate trade and tourism.
Works Cited
Aries, Myriam BC, and Guy R. Newsham. "Effect of daylight saving time on lighting energy use: A literature review." Energy policy 36.6 (2008): 1858-1866.
Bartky, Ian R. "The adoption of standard time." Technology and Culture 30.1 (1989): 25-56.
Kantermann, Thomas, et al. "The human circadian clock's seasonal adjustment is disrupted by daylight saving time." Current Biology 17.22 (2007): 1996-2000.
Kotchen, Matthew J., and Laura E. Grant. "Does daylight saving time save energy? Evidence from a natural experiment in Indiana." Review of Economics and Statistics 93.4 (2011): 1172-1185.
