Switching to winter time: why Zelensky is hesitant to make changes in Ukraine.
Ukraine is preparing to transition from summer to winter time on the night of October 26 to 27, 2024: at 4:00 AM, the clocks will be set back one hour to 3:00 AM. On July 16, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a bill aimed at abolishing seasonal clock changes. The document reached President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 21, but has yet to be signed.
Members of parliament propose not to switch to summer time in 2025 and to remain in the second time zone, Eastern European Time UTC+2. The Ministry of Economy believes that winter time is natural, as it aligns with the geographical position of the country. Officials explained that the transition to summer time is justified by the effective use of daylight hours.
However, Zelensky may not approve the idea of abolishing the clock change. The President was informed that sticking to winter time could lead to billions in economic losses. Moreover, the deadline for vetoing the document has already passed, sources from "BBC Ukraine" reported.
Another source from the radio station mentioned that the president did not use his veto to "not offend" the Speaker of Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, since it was his bill. Everyone assessed the situation and noted the economic downsides, and the source added petitions from Ukrainians to the arguments against signing the law.
It is worth noting that the president has about six months left to sign the law before the next time change.
History of Time Changes in Ukraine, Russia, and Europe
The practice of moving the clock forward by one hour in spring and back in autumn was first implemented by Germany in 1916 during World War I. The Germans aimed to reduce coal consumption at power plants and allocate resources for weapon factories. Other European countries followed Berlin's example.
The United States began transitioning to summer time in 1919 but reverted several times. Nevertheless, the majority of Americans have been adjusting their clocks since 1974.
After World War II, European countries largely abandoned this practice but resumed it in the 1970s due to the oil crisis to reduce lighting costs.
Ukraine attempted to abolish the switch to winter time in 2011, but public outcry led to a quick reversal of the decision. Some argued that children had to go to school in the dark, while others pointed out that it mirrored Russia's approach.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev aimed to permanently establish summer time in 2011, justifying the initiative as a concern for people's health and "cows not understanding why milkmaids come at different times." Ultimately, Russia switched entirely to winter time in July 2014.
"Crazy" Idea or Benefit: What Will Ukrainians Gain from the Time Change?
Proponents of the initiative argue that eliminating the clock change will save electricity, positively impact health, enhance productivity, and support Eurointegration. Ukraine would synchronize its time with European countries—from Spain to Poland.
Opponents of the time change cite Western research indicating negative health impacts: individuals may feel fatigued and suffer from insomnia. Reportedly, the number of heart attacks, hypertension, depression, and suicides could increase.
According to MP from "European Solidarity" Oleksiy Honcharenko, the cancellation of the clock change to winter and summer time is a "crazy" decision. The politician hopes that Zelensky will not sign the relevant law.
Most EU countries have not abandoned the clock change, and in the case of Romania, Ukraine would have a two-hour difference, the MP pointed out.
"Our people fly for 8-9 hours on airplanes to completely different time zones, yet here we are talking about moving the clock by one hour. Ukraine has been changing its clocks for over 30 years, and everyone is alive. It would be much worse for health to see the sun at 4:00 AM and then head to work at 9:00 AM in the peak heat of summer," he asserts.
The transition to winter and summer time is one of the topics that divides Ukrainian society. Some believe it is better to stay in the second time zone, while others advocate for aligning with Eastern Europe, notes political analyst and head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies Ihor Chalenko.
From an economic perspective, fixing the time will not affect energy resource consumption, as the load hours on the network in Ukraine are mixed: not everyone works from 9 to 6.
However, there is a minor technological issue. Millions of dual-zone electricity meters will need to be reprogrammed if seasonal clock changes are abolished. This device effectively reduces electricity costs during nighttime—from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. The rate during this period is 2.16 hryvnias per kWh.
Italian specialists investigated the issue of switching to winter time. They found that men who lost an hour of sleep were at greater risk while driving.