Permanent Daylight Savings Time scenarios
It’s an annual gripe.. why do we do daylight savings time, it’s so inconvenient, bla bla bla.
This was generated by Gemini and lays out the scenarios either way, and what happened when we ACTUALLY TRIED THIS.
Scenario A: Permanent Standard Time (Year-Round)
Effectively “Falling Back” forever. You never “Spring Forward.”
In this scenario, your winter schedule remains unchanged. However, during the summer, the sun would rise and set one hour earlier than you are currently used to.
Sunrise/Sunset Chart (Longmont, CO)
| Time of Year | Event | Current System (DST) | Permanent Standard Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | Spring Equinox | Rise: 7:03 AM Set: 7:12 PM |
Rise: 6:03 AM Set: 6:12 PM |
| June 21 | Summer Solstice | Rise: 5:31 AM Set: 8:33 PM |
Rise: 4:31 AM Set: 7:33 PM |
| Sept 22 | Fall Equinox | Rise: 6:48 AM Set: 6:56 PM |
Rise: 5:48 AM Set: 5:56 PM |
| Dec 21 | Winter Solstice | Rise: 7:19 AM Set: 4:38 PM |
Rise: 7:19 AM Set: 4:38 PM |
The Inconveniences (Summer & Fall)
- The “Birds Singing at 4 AM” Problem: In June, the sun would rise at 4:31 AM, with civil twilight starting around 3:55 AM. This results in “wasted daylight” while most people are asleep.
- Loss of Summer Evenings: Sunsets would shift from ~8:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This cuts significantly into after-work outdoor activities like barbecues or sports.
- Short Fall Days: By late September, the sun would set before 6:00 PM, bringing the feeling of winter darkness much earlier in the year.
Scenario B: Permanent Daylight Saving Time (Year-Round)
Effectively “Springing Forward” forever. You never “Fall Back.”
In this scenario, your summer schedule remains unchanged. However, during the winter, everything shifts one hour later, resulting in darker mornings and brighter evenings.
Sunrise/Sunset Chart (Longmont, CO)
| Time of Year | Event | Current System | Permanent DST |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | Spring Equinox | Rise: 7:03 AM Set: 7:12 PM |
No Change |
| June 21 | Summer Solstice | Rise: 5:31 AM Set: 8:33 PM |
No Change |
| Sept 22 | Fall Equinox | Rise: 6:48 AM Set: 6:56 PM |
No Change |
| Dec 21 | Winter Solstice | Rise: 7:19 AM Set: 4:38 PM |
Rise: 8:19 AM Set: 5:38 PM |
The Inconveniences (Winter)
- The “Pitch Black Commute”: On the shortest days of the year, the sun wouldn’t rise until nearly 8:20 AM. Commuters and school children would be traveling in pitch black darkness.
- The “Deep Freeze” Morning: Because the sun rises later, the morning “thaw” is delayed. Morning chores or commutes would occur during the coldest temperatures of the day.
Historical Context: The 1974 US Experiment
The United States actually attempted Permanent Daylight Saving Time in January 1974 to save energy during the Arab Oil Embargo.
The Timeline
- Dec 1973: 79% public approval.
- Jan 6, 1974: The US moves to Permanent DST.
- Feb 1974: Public approval crashes to 42%.
- Oct 1974: Congress repeals the act.
Why It Failed
- Safety Concerns: The primary backlash came from parents and schools. In Florida, eight children were killed in traffic accidents in the early morning dark within weeks of the change.
- No Energy Savings: Studies showed that energy savings were non-existent (less than 1%). While evening light usage dropped, morning heating and lighting usage increased.
Relevance to Longmont
Colorado sits on the western edge of the Mountain Time Zone, meaning sunrises are already late compared to the eastern edge. * Current Winter Sunrise: 7:19 AM * Permanent DST Winter Sunrise: 8:19 AM
During the 1974 experiment, the Denver area was a major center of opposition, as parents objected to sending children to school in 15-degree weather in total darkness.
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