Now that we’ve switched back to Standard Time, doesn’t it feel good to get up and leave in the morning light? During the last several weeks, our clocks were set to Daylight Saving Time, even though the autumnal equinox has long past. This caused the shortening daylight hours to start later in the morning than they should, and we leave for work or school aware of the sad approach of winter’s darkness.
Why don’t we readjust our clocks on the actual equinox dates, Sept. 21 and March 21? That would conform with the symmetry of the natural daylight cycle. Instead, we wait a month past the autumnal equinox (when the days get shorter than the nights) to go to Standard Time, and we delay a month after the vernal equinox (when the days get longer than the nights) to return to Daylight Savings.
Our legislators have the power to change the clock-setting dates to a more consistent and rational pattern. Let them know your concern.
