Daylight Saving Time exists as a system to shift an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening, historically aimed at saving energy and making better use of daylight during the longer days of summer. The practice typically involves moving clocks forward by one hour in spring and back by one hour in fall, so evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Key points to understand

• Origins and purpose: DST emerged in the early 20th century, with roots in wartime energy conservation and later shifts in public policy to standardize time zones and schedules. The core idea was that more evening daylight reduces the need for artificial lighting and can support outdoor activities and economic activity in the longer days.

• How it works: Clocks are advanced one hour in spring (often called “spring forward”) and set back one hour in autumn (“fall back”). This re-aligns daily activities with daylight hours, though the exact experience varies by location and latitude.

• Benefits and criticisms: Proponents argue DST can save energy, reduce traffic accidents at certain times, and encourage outdoor activity after work. Critics point to sleep disruption, mixed energy effects, and questions about actual net savings. The balance of benefits and drawbacks remains a topic of ongoing policy debate in many countries.

• Current status and debates: Some places have kept DST, others have experimented with permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time, and legislative efforts to end or reform DST have appeared in several jurisdictions. The specifics—including start and end dates and whether to stay on DST year-round—vary by country and year.

If you’d like, I can tailor a concise summary for a specific country or region (for example, the United States, Canada, or the European Union), including the typical DST dates for the current year and any ongoing policy changes.