On October 31, 2021 at 3 a.m., the clocks will be put back one hour. The change between summer and winter time has many opponents – but also supporters.
Munich – Somehow the thing is annoying, and the plan to abolish it has officially been in place since 2018. However, the EU countries still cannot agree: Would you prefer to switch to summer or winter time permanently? Therefore, on the night of this Sunday (October 31, 2021) the same thing as last year: set the clock back one hour at three in the morning. Then it is rather light in the morning, but dark earlier in the afternoon.
Regular surveys show that this back and forth is unpopular. Here is a current one that the polling institute Yougov published this Friday: A clear majority in Germany * (71 percent) rejects the time change.
However, 18 percent of those surveyed were also in favor of setting the clocks one hour forward or back one hour each spring and autumn. What are the arguments?
Time change 2021: arguments of the critics
Actually, putting the clock forward in spring should help save energy during the bright season. The idea: if the day moves forward by an hour, less lighting and therefore less electricity is used. According to analyzes, however, energy-saving effects are hardly detectable.
By switching to summer time, however, there is a risk of a lack of sleep, which leads to a loss of concentration and performance as well as more accidents. The German Teachers’ Association also fears health risks for pupils in the event of a permanent switch to summer time.
Abolish winter time? That’s what opponents say
Technically, the time change is unproblematic. The clock for the time in Germany are the atomic clocks of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig. The signals through which the radio clocks automatically adjust to the time change are transmitted via transmitters. The time change has long been routine for Deutsche Bahn as well.
As I said, the 27 EU countries are still arguing how the elimination of the time change should be implemented. And without an agreement, the whole project can even fail. In the course of the debates it became clear that some EU states – Portugal *, for example – are fundamentally against the end of the time change. (frs with material from AFP and dpa) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
