Daylight Saving Time returns this weekend, and with it, the debate about its effects on our health and public safety. On Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m. Eastern time, clocks will move ahead one hour, marking the start of Daylight Saving Time until the first Sunday of November.

In many areas of the United States, Daylight Saving Time will cause the sun to rise at 7 a.m. or later, which is similar to the time of sunrise in January. Nevertheless, the amount of daylight has increased significantly since then, with nearly 12 hours of daylight as we approach the spring equinox.

While many are torn on the idea of saving time, Daylight Saving Time can be a good opportunity to tackle certain tasks. Changing the batteries in your fire alarms, vehicle key fobs, and cleaning home appliances are just some of the things you can do to make the most out of the time change.

Alberta explored the possibility of switching permanently to Daylight Saving Time in the 2021 Municipal election referendum questions. The results showed that 50.2% of those who participated voted in favour of keeping the system as it is, while 49.8% voted in favour of changing it.

The debate over the benefits and drawbacks of Daylight Saving Time has been ongoing for many years. Some argue that the time change saves energy and promotes outdoor activities in the evening, while others believe that it disrupts sleep patterns and causes more accidents on the road.

Despite the controversy surrounding the practice, Daylight Saving Time has become a common practice in many countries around the world. It was first introduced in Germany during World War I as a way to conserve energy, and it quickly spread to other countries.

Today, more than 70 nations around the world observe Daylight Saving Time, though not all of them follow the same timeline. In the United States, Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday of March (March 13) and ends on the first Sunday of November (November 5).