Die Sommerzeit wurde eingeführt, um Energie zu sparen. Ein urgrünes Credo. Doch im amerikanischen Bundestaat Indiana verursacht die Sommerzeit eine Erhöhung der Nachfrage nach Elektrizität:

Our main finding is that — contrary to the policy’s intent — D.S.T. increases residential electricity demand.

Estimates of the overall increase are approximately 1 percent, but we find that the effect is not constant throughout the D.S.T. period. D.S.T. causes the greatest increase in electricity consumption in the fall, when estimates range between 2 and 4 percent.

These findings are consistent with simulation results that point to a tradeoff between reducing demand for lighting and increasing demand for heating and cooling. We estimate a cost of increased electricity bills to Indiana households of $9 million per year. We also estimate social costs of increased pollution emissions that range from $1.7 to $5.5 million per year. Finally, we argue that the effect is likely to be even stronger in other regions of the United States.¹

Sollten nun also nicht die Grünen zusammen mit dem WWF und Greenpeace Unterschriften zur Abschaffung der Sommerzeit sammeln?

1. telegraph – More Ammunition for People Who Hate Daylight Saving Time / via usa erklärt – ZEUGS: Executive Orders, Sommerzeit ist Blödsinn und Landkarten [↩]