Will a Time Change Create More Efficiency?

Whenever we “fall back” or “spring forward,” many of us wonder if the hassle is necessary. Now, our incoming government efficiency advisers, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, suggest staying with one time throughout the year.

Like Brazil, they favor dumping Daylight Saving:

In 2019, Brazil eliminated Daylight Saving Time. Now they are not so sure it was a good idea.

Eliminating Daylight Saving Time

Through a presidential decree, Jair Bolsonaro proclaimed “Daylight saving time, never again!” His decision perpetuated early morning daylight. In Brazil’s Southeast, the sun rises by 4:30 AM during the summer. Some liked the early light for their commute.

However, Brazil’s dependence on hydropower has become a problem. Requiring lights earlier, Brazil’s new clock used up more electricity in the evening. But global warming brought them less rain and more expensive power. Whereas lighting bills went up by approximately 20%, they would shrink as a return to DST reduced energy demand. Consequently, Brazil is debating whether to switch back.

Also, beyond Brazil, time change advocates have varied support.

In the U.S., the results from four polls with differently worded questions slightly favored year-round DST or sticking with switching:

Meanwhile Mexico eliminated DST while Turkey went the other way and permanently retained it.

Our Bottom Line: Unintended Consequences

Perhaps we just cannot agree because it matters where we live.

By eliminating Daylight Saving Time, we get these earliest sunrises:

And these earliest sunsets:

However, (what I prefer), with DST, sunsets could be much later:

So, where are we? As behavioral economists, we could list potential positive and negative externalities at home and at work. Probably though, like Brazil, we would create many unintended consequences.

My sources and more: A  Washington Post article on Brazil inspired today’s post. It returned me back to this article and took me ahead to this (and the source of our U.S. maps). However, if you want to contemplate a more drastic time switch, do take a look at our past post on the 13-month year.