It’s Spring, the clocks have changed and the dark nights will start to fade in our memories…..ok so not immediately but we are now on a firm path which is heading for summer. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is an interesting one though and every year when the clocks change there is a news article somewhere with people arguing for and against the change.
People in favour of DST argue that it saves energy, promotes outdoor leisure activity in the evenings, reduces traffic accidents, reduces crime and is generally good for physical and psychological health.
People against DST argue that it disrupts human circadian rhythm which has a negative impact on human health. They also argue that it increases fatal traffic accidents and that the actual energy savings are inconclusive.
DST was introduced in 1914 due to the cost of energy usage during the war. Many will argue though that Benjamin Franklin proposed a similar idea in the 1700s but it never took off. Either way there was a reason why the concept is still with us.
There will always be arguments in favour and against the concept of ‘springing forward’ or ‘falling back’. Personally I don’t have a strong view either way…. until recently when I was visiting a wholesaler who said that they look forward to the clocks changing because business picks up – now there is a tangible benefit.
Over 70 countries around the world observe DST and the general consensus is that the main goal is to reduce energy demand – yet many studies have shown that DST produces only modest savings on electricity consumption.
Does that mean it is all in our heads?
I am more interested in the thought process which says that business picks up when the clocks go forward in March. Perhaps there is a correlation between people being told that DST produces energy savings and thus people feel more inclined to spend a little more on projects which they have been putting off through the dark winter months – or perhaps the lighter nights just put a spring in our step and generate a desire to crack on with new projects.
I cannot find any conclusive evidence to suggest either of these to be correct but for me, Spring is a time to crack on with new projects so there is obviously something in the air which changes the mindset and this has got to be good for business.
If nothing else I am prepared to hang onto the fact that DST leads to a reduction in energy use – that is going to put a spring the step of many people. But I also think that it’s a time when people do start planning new projects for which you can provide a range of projects.
Maybe it’s time to do a quick stock take to make sure you’re ready for the summer months and if you’re not sure what the hot new products are then obviously you need to read on because we have it all in this month’s issue.
See you next month – Tracey Rushton-Thorpe, Editor
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