Clock shift 2024? Do you dream of moving the clock back sometime in 2024? We have found the exact dates and times for you to save in your calendar so you don't miss this special event.
In 2024 we will once again witness two movements of the clock. Every year this ritual event brings its own joys and challenges. In this article, we will explore when exactly these shifts will occur in 2024 and why they exist in the first place. So – clock shift 2024!
Changing the clock is an event that is celebrated twice a year - once to switch to summer time and then to winter time. Daylight saving time usually falls on the last Sunday in March, when the clocks are moved forward one hour, making the days longer. The shift back to winter time occurs about seven months later, usually on the last Sunday in October, when the clocks are set back one hour, making the days appear shorter.
Clock shift 2024 - to summer time: 24.3.2024 (Sunday)
At night, 60 minutes from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock - this is how we pass from winter to summer time.
Clock shift 2024 - to winter time: 27.10.2024 (Sunday)
At night, 60 minutes back from 3 o'clock to 2 o'clock - this is how we pass from summer to winter time.
The introduction of clock movement was originally intended to better match working hours with natural daylight, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting and thereby saving energy. This system was first introduced in Europe by the Germans during the First World War, but was later discontinued and reintroduced during the energy crisis of the 1960s and 1970s.
However, the clock shift has faced criticism. Opponents argue that moving the clock negatively affects people's biological clock and rhythm, causing mood swings and can even worsen mental health. In addition, moving the clock to winter time reduces the number of hours we can spend on excursions and walks in the afternoon.
A discussion on the abolition of clock displacement was particularly lively in 2021, when a proposal was presented in Brussels to abolish the movement of clocks in the countries of the European Union. The poll showed that as many as 84% people do not agree with moving the clock, but negotiations did not continue on this point. There are currently no signs that the clock movement will be discontinued, so we can expect to move the clock twice a year for a few more years.
Arguments for moving the clock:
- Energy saving: Moving the clock to summer time means an extra hour of daylight in the evening hours, which reduces the need to use artificial lighting.
- Better use of daylight: The movement of the clock harmonizes working hours with natural light conditions, which enables greater activity and efficiency during daylight hours.
- Promotion of recreation and outdoor activities: Longer evenings allow more time for outdoor recreation and family activities.
Arguments against moving the clock:
- Effect on the biological clock: Moving the clock can have a negative effect on people's biological clock and rhythm, which can cause problems with sleep, mood and even worsen mental health.
- Reduction of evening hours: Moving the clock to winter time shortens the afternoon hours, which can negatively affect the possibilities for trips and walks after work.
- Inconsistency and confusion: Frequent time changes cause confusion when planning events and travel, especially in an international context.
When will we stop moving the clock?!
Discussions in the European Parliament on the abolition of the clock movement to summer time and back to winter time began already in 2018, when the European Commission proposed that the clock movement should be abandoned. Members of the European Parliament were in favor of this proposal. Nevertheless, the trilogue (negotiations between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU) never happened, which is why the debate seems to have fallen into oblivion.
In 2018, the European Commission conducted an online survey in which 4.6 million EU citizens participated. The survey was particularly popular in Germany, where 68% of all respondents took part. The results of the survey showed that approximately 84% participants no longer want to move their clocks twice a year. Based on this, on September 12, 2018, the European Commission proposed the abolition of seasonal clock changes (repeal of Directive 2000/84/EC). For this proposal to be valid, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU must approve the proposal with a qualified majority of votes.
However, progress on eliminating clock drift has stalled due to a lack of consensus among EU member states. As some MPs pointed out, there was a lot of progress in this area four years ago, but there is currently no movement. The reason for this is partly due to other, more urgent matters, such as Brexit, COVID-19 and the invasion of Ukraine
Photo: envato elementsWhile the change was particularly popular in Germany and Austria, some countries such as Ireland are in a more complicated position due to the UK's decision to leave the EU and the shared border between the two countries. If Ireland decided to make the change while the UK did not, it would result in two different time zones on the island.
As for countries that don't already follow daylight savings time, they include Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macau , Mongolia, Namibia, Russia, Samoa, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Uruguay, Vanuatu and most of Mexico. Some of these countries chose a time that was used outside of their DST period, while others adopted a time that was used during their DST.
