Proposition 7 aims to establish Daylight Saving Time year-round in CA
This weekend, we’ll set our clocks back an hour, gaining an hour of sleep and losing an hour of daylight. A proposition on the November ballot could soon change that.
If passed, Proposition 7, the Daylight Saving proposition, would allow the state legislature to establish Daylight Saving Time year-round. That means no more “springing forward,” and no more “falling back.”
Daylight Saving Time is a concept originally conceived to make better use of daylight and conserve energy.
“Those days are gone,” said Dieger Bauer, in support of the proposition.
One argument against Prop 7 is that it would put California’s time out of sync with our neighboring states.
Many we interviewed in downtown Palm Springs say they’re ready to stop changing their clocks.
“I kind of like it when you don’t have to change the clocks up and back,” Art Royle said. “It’s just more convenient.”
Most people reporter Jake Ingrassia spoke to were hoping to eliminate that extra hour of darkness that will soon fall over our evenings.
“You get off work at 5 o’clock and it’s pitch black outside,” Nancy Ecclestone said. “Whereas if you had a little bit more daylight in the evening, in the winter, it’s nice.”
“Not as sunny, not as bright, kind of down,” Andrea O’Donnell said, describing what she feels after the clocks get set back in the fall. “I’m waiting to go to bed earlier and my days end earlier than what I’d like it to, it seems like.”
“We would just have enough light to do what we need to versus being out in the dark,” said Maribel Cosgrave. “I think it would just be better.”
But it turns out there are real health risks associated with changing the clocks, too.
Dr. Andrew Kassinove, medical director at JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio says altering your sleep schedule, even just by an hour, messes with your body clock — causing you extra stress.
“There’s been studies that have shown that extra stress on the body can lead to increased risk of heart attack or stroke,” Kassinove said.
He added losing sunlight can also lead to increased seasonal depression. “We need sunlight to keep our mood happy,” he said.
He also pointed to less light causing us to exercise less.
“Most people exercise after work and for the next several months after work, it will be dark for most people on a 9 to 5 schedule,” Kassinove said. “You won’t be able to go out and take advantage of the things in the valley like playing tennis or golf or taking a run if you want to be in the daylight.”
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