During the night between Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, at 2 AM, daylight saving time returned: you need to move analog clocks forward by one hour, while your smartphone’s clock adjusted itself automatically.
Globally, less than 40% of countries currently adopt daylight saving time. In recent years, several countries have decided to abolish it, opting for a standard time year-round. In 2023, for example, Greenland chose to keep daylight saving time permanently, giving up the switch back to standard time. As a result, the debate over abolishing daylight saving time has become increasingly heated. In Europe, countries like Russia (which spans 11 time zones!), Iceland, and Belarus no longer switch between standard and daylight saving time. Additionally, the European Union has discussed abolishing the time change, leaving the final decision to individual member states. As of today, most EU countries, as well as some non-EU countries, still adopt daylight saving time (including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, etc., with exceptions like Iceland). This means moving clocks forward by one hour in spring and back by one hour in autumn. However, the EU has debated the possibility of abolishing it in the future.
With daylight saving time, we lose an hour of sleep for one night, but the most immediate effect is that from today, daylight will start an hour later in the morning and last an hour longer in the evening. In Italy, daylight saving time has replaced standard time since 1916. In the following decades, it was repeatedly suspended, abolished, and reintroduced. It was permanently reinstated in 1966 during an energy crisis when it was necessary to better utilize sunlight in the late afternoon and evening.
It is said that daylight saving time was invented by the American statesman Benjamin Franklin, who, in 1784, wrote a satirical letter suggesting that Parisians wake up early in the morning to take advantage of sunlight and save on candle costs.
Every year, with the arrival of spring, many countries adopt daylight saving time, moving the clock forward by one hour. The primary goal is to make better use of natural light and reduce energy consumption. However, this practice brings both advantages and disadvantages, fueling ongoing debate.
The main argument in favor of daylight saving time is the reduction in electricity consumption. With more natural light available in the late afternoon, the need for artificial lighting—and, to some extent, heating—is reduced. However, recent studies show that the actual energy savings are often lower than expected, especially in countries with hot climates, where the use of air conditioning increases.
It is true that longer days encourage outdoor activities, promote sports, and boost customer traffic in bars and restaurants, fostering social interactions. Additionally, with more daylight in the late afternoon, road visibility improves, contributing to a reduction in accidents.
Scientific research on the effects of the time change has clearly shown that it disrupts circadian rhythms, causing difficulties in falling asleep and fatigue—effects that can last for days, negatively impacting concentration and daily performance.
The effectiveness of daylight saving time varies significantly depending on latitude, specific climatic conditions, consumption habits in different countries, and the energy efficiency of buildings.
In Italy, daylight saving time continues to be associated with significant energy savings. In 2025, electricity consumption is expected to decrease by approximately 330 million kilowatt-hours—the equivalent of the annual energy needs of over 125,000 households—resulting in an estimated economic saving of around 100 million euros (according to estimates by Terna, one of Europe’s leading independent electricity transmission operators).
Regarding energy savings, AbanoRitz is at the forefront: https://www.hotelabanoritz.com/holiday-safe.aspx
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