On November 3, millions of Americans will take part in a familiar (and sometimes annoying) ritual: resetting their clocks. Each March, most states “spring ahead” one hour to daylight saving time (DST). Then, mid-autumn, they “fall back” to
But increasingly, many Americans are opposing the practice. They say the twice-yearly switch causes confusion and has few benefits.
Similar grumbling can be heard in many places around the world. About 70 countries currently observe DST. But most others stick with one time year-round. And soon even more nations may be doing the same.
Last March, the
Making this work won’t be easy. Countries that keep the same time today may make different choices and so be off by an hour in the future. Coordinating airline schedules will be a headache. And the complex puzzle of the world’s time zones will become even more puzzling (see map, below).
Meanwhile, in the U.S., dozens of states are currently considering proposals to stop the switch as well. Soon, the U.S. time zone map could be seeing some complicated changes of its own.