EU could end daylight saving time across 27 member countries

The European Union Parliament has proposed a possible plan to end daylight saving time across the all 27 member states except UK.

The system was first adopted during the First World War in the UK to give factories daylight hours to work in to aid the war effort.

The effect is more noticeable the closer you are to the North Pole. As the Earth tilts on its axis, during winter the Northern Hemisphere is further away from the sun than the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa during summer.

For example, in Iceland, from mid-May to mid-August the sun only sets for around three hours a night and there are only around five hours of effective daylight during the winter months.

Supporters of the current system say it saves energy and reduces traffic accidents as fewer people have to travel in darkness, but critics argue it causes long-term health problems.

French MEP Karima Deli said: “Studies that show an increase in road accidents or sleep trouble during the time change must be taken seriously… and savings were not conclusive”.

If the EU will soon probably end daylight saving time there is a chance that the United States could do the same.