Daylight spending: spring forward, fall back.

AuthorMangu-Ward, Katherine
PositionCitings - Brief article

WHEN THRIFTY Benjamin Franklin spotted a chance to save precious tallow, he didn't hesitate to pipe up. Franklin suggested that people adjust their sleep schedules in the summer months to enjoy the "economy of using sunshine rather than candles." He jokingly proposed firing cannons to wake people at dawn and imposing a tax on window shutters that keep out sunlight.

Cutting energy consumption--whether because of wartime shortages, oil embargoes, or global warming fears--has always been the justification for the abuse of American sleep schedules. But a new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that daylight saving time actually increases demand for energy. The paper, by the economist Michael J. Kotchen and the environmental scientist...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT