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We Will Continue With Summer And Winter Time Until 2024

As it looks now, we will continue with summer and winter time at least until 2024. The case has not progressed at all during the pandemic, says Rautavirta.

Do we turn the clocks back on Sunday?

On Sunday, at 4.00 we will turn back the clock and switch from summer time to normal time, or winter time as it is also called.

Whether we should continue to change the clock twice every year, and above all what time we should invest in as a permanent, is a question that causes debate every time it is time to change time.

The matter has been on the agenda in the EU, and in 2019 the European Parliament approved the Commission's proposal to abolish the clock change.

Since then, however, time has stood still. If one is to believe Maria Rautavirta, unit director at the Ministry of Communications, it does not look like we will stop changing the clock in the coming years.

As it looks now, we will continue with summer and winter time at least until 2024. The case has not progressed at all during the pandemic, says Rautavirta.

Another reason for the delay is the reluctance of recent presidencies to address the issue.

Why do we change the clocks?

Once the EU has decided that time adjustment should be abolished, all member states must choose either summer or winter time as permanent time. It's easier said than done. The choices of the neighboring countries influence and there is research that supports both alternatives.

"There have been discussions on the subject among the Nordic countries during the pandemic. Different alternatives have been evaluated and the countries have talked about what it means for the others if a country chooses, for example, summer time", says Rautavirta.

Finland has previously been an advocate of winter time, but now Maria Rautavirta says that it is even beard.

It's 50-50 at the moment. It also complicates politicians' decisions.

Winter Clock Benefits

Timo Partonen is a research professor at the Institute for Health and Welfare. Among other things, he researches how sleep deprivation affects our health.

According to Partonen, all people have an internal clock that is beaten by the actual clock being reset twice a year.

When we change the clock, our internal clocks do not have time. It can lead to sleep problems for several days afterwards.

There is also research that shows that the risk of an acute heart attack is greater after the clock is set.

What time should we have as a permanent?

Normal time, winter time, would be better from a health perspective.

If we went in for the winter, the mornings would be brighter all year round. It would benefit our inner clock, which expects bright mornings and dark evenings, according to Partonen.

"Our internal clock would stay close to the actual time if we set winter time. That would reduce the risk of sleep problems", says Partonen.

Summer Clock Benefits

Permanent summer time would mean more bright hours in summer and autumn. Two years ago, a citizens' initiative for eternal summer time was raised in the Riksdag. Minttu Korsberg, Secretary General of the Sports Council's Secretariat, was also heard on the matter.

"When it comes to exercise, eternal summer time would be the better option. Permanent winter time would significantly reduce exercise opportunities outdoors", says Korsberg.