Artigenda
Standard Time
When: Annually, the last night of Saturday to Sunday of October.
It is perhaps one of the most discussed or debated changes we face every year: Standard Time. Of course, the same can be said about summertime, which takes place on the last night of Saturday to Sunday in March. In The Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders), Standard Time is also known as Winter Tijd (Winter Time).
Time is a constant in our lives, yet the way we measure it and adjust to its passage can vary greatly depending on where we are in the world. More countries in Central Europe besides Belgium and The Netherlands adhere to a timekeeping system known as the Central European Time (CET) during the winter months and Central European Summer Time (CEST) in spring and summer.
The concept of CET and CEST
Central European Time is the time zone that is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1). It is used by many countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, which is geographically situated on the western edge of the Central European Time Zone. This time standard is crucial for synchronizing economic, social, and communication activities across different nations.
When daylight saving time (DST) comes into effect, typically from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, the clocks are adjusted forward by one hour to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is two hours ahead of UTC (UTC+2). This shift aims to make better use of daylight during the evenings of the longer summer days.
Historical context
The concept of daylight saving was first proposed by George Vernon Hudson in 1895 and was later adopted by various countries during World War I to save coal. The Netherlands has been adjusting its clock on the last weekend in March and the last weekend in October since 1977, aligning with the European Union’s directive on daylight saving time.
Clock adjustments in The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the transition from CEST to CET occurs in the last weekend of October. This marks the end of daylight saving time for the year and a return to standard time. The change means that sunrise and sunset will occur about one hour earlier than the day before, resulting in more light in the morning and less in the evening.
Debate around Daylight Saving Time
The practice of adjusting the clock twice a year has been a topic of debate. Proponents argue that it saves energy, promotes outdoor leisure activities in the evening, and is beneficial for physical and psychological health. Critics, however, point out the disruption to the human circadian rhythm, increased risk of heart attacks, and the negligible energy savings as reasons to abolish the practice.
