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Some 70 countries, mostly in the Americas and Europe, apply Daylight Saving Time during the summer months. Europe's clocks will move forward once again this weekend. Yet last week the European Union voted to end this longestablished practice from 2021.
In the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea of moving the clocks forward in the summer. But the practice really took hold during World War Ⅰ and since then it has brought several benefits. It might increase consumer spending, as shoppers are encouraged to stay out later into the evening. It might even reduce crime. As the saying goes, "The longer the daylight, the less I do wrong. "
In spite of all that, clockchanging is unpopular. When the European Union ran a poll (民意调查) among its citizens, it got nearly 5 million responses. Over 80% want toscrapclockchanging, and for good reasons. Although it has not been proven eventually, many scientists think that changing the clocks messes up humans' biological clock, which may increase the chances of heart attacks and strokes. It could cause car accidents to increase, as drivers who are used to going to work in the daylight, for example, suddenly have to do so in the dark. In addition, many businesses find it extremely inconvenient that countries change their clocks at different times.
So, will Europeans choose to stick with winter or summer time? This has not been decided. It could be that each country will choose for itself, though each is likely to take careful note of neighbors' decisions. The benefit, it seems, is not so much in deciding how long the evening is, or how dark the morning. It is in keeping it consistent throughout the year.