Scientists specializing in sleep research caution that British Columbia’s move towards adopting permanent daylight time could have adverse effects on overall health, particularly for children. Myriam Juda, an adjunct professor and sleep researcher at Simon Fraser University, emphasized global warnings regarding the negative health and safety impacts of permanent daylight saving time, advocating instead for permanent standard time.
The transition in B.C. entails the province switching to daylight time this weekend with no future clock adjustments. Stanford University’s Jamie Zeitzer, a professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, expressed surprise at the B.C. government referencing his research in endorsing the change, stating that scientifically and health-wise, the switch is not advisable.
Daylight saving time shifts the clock forward by an hour, leading to less morning light and more afternoon light, disrupting the circadian clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Juda highlighted the importance of morning light exposure in synchronizing the circadian clock to the sun’s light-dark cycle, affecting melatonin release timing and potentially causing nighttime alertness and daytime fatigue, particularly among teenagers.
Furthermore, permanent daylight time could result in dark winter mornings in cities like Vancouver and Victoria, impacting children walking to school and commuters. Juda estimated a reduction of nearly half an hour of sleep per night for most British Columbians post-transition, potentially leading to social jet lag and associated health issues due to misaligned daily schedules and reduced sleep.
Zeitzer’s team’s U.S. research suggested that maintaining a consistent circadian cycle in standard time could be healthier, correlating with reduced risks of strokes and obesity compared to permanent daylight time. The absence of peer-reviewed health research supporting the shift to permanent daylight saving time was acknowledged by scientists, with Zeitzer noting the adverse effects of the spring time change on heart attacks and car accidents.
Despite public support for permanent daylight saving time in B.C., with over 90% backing during consultations, limited options were presented to the public, excluding permanent standard time. The government cited alignment with neighboring jurisdictions as a reason for not considering standard time as a viable option.
Economic factors favoring daylight saving time were suggested by Zeitzer, such as extended daytime for outdoor activities and economic growth, though the health implications of these benefits were not extensively examined. The decision-making process regarding the selection of daylight time over standard time lacked transparency in terms of scientific sources consulted.