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The daylight saving time in Miami and the rest of Florida will take effect on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 a.m., at which point clocks will need to be set forward one hour to read 3:00 a.m.
This schedule will remain in effect until Sunday, November 2, 2025, when it will revert to standard time.
When the clocks move forward on March 9, 2025, dawn in Miami will be at 7:36 a.m. and sunset will be at 7:27 p.m.
This means that people going to school or work will do so with less light in the morning, but they will enjoy brighter afternoons.
Daylight saving time is a practice implemented in several countries around the world with the aim of making better use of sunlight and reducing energy consumption.
In Florida, this adjustment is particularly relevant for the tourism sector and the local economy.
With an extra hour of daylight in the afternoon, beaches, parks, and tourist attractions can welcome visitors for longer, benefiting the local economy.
This is compounded by the fact that businesses, restaurants, and events often experience an increase in customer traffic due to the longer afternoons.
On the other hand, local media reports suggest that increased exposure to sunlight in the afternoon may reduce the rate of crime and traffic accidents.
Opponents of daylight saving time argue that the change negatively affects health by disrupting sleep cycles, which can lead to issues such as insomnia or fatigue.
Additionally, they indicate that the economic impact of daylight saving time, originally designed to save energy, is diminishing due to technological advancements and the widespread use of electricity throughout the day.
Tips for adjusting to the time change
It is advisable to set forward manual clocks (wristwatches, ovens, microwaves, and cars) before going to bed on Saturday, March 8.
It should be noted that losing an hour of rest can affect performance in the initial days, and going to bed about 15 minutes earlier in the nights leading up to the change helps minimize the impact.
Another aspect to monitor is that the decrease in morning light may increase risks on the road, especially for students and pedestrians.
The debate on a permanent daylight saving time in Florida
The former governor and current senator, Rick Scott, signed a bill for Florida to keep daylight saving time year-round.
In 2022, the proposal, renamed the "Sun Protection Act", was unanimously approved in the Senate, but it was never brought to a vote in the House of Representatives, leaving the matter in suspense.
In December 2024, the then-elected president Donald Trump promised to eliminate daylight saving time in the United States, claiming that it is too costly for the country.
In a message to his supporters, Trump described this practice as "inconvenient and very costly," and added that he will seek the support of the Republican Party to implement this change.
History of Daylight Saving Time in the U.S.
The Standard Time Act of 1918 established daylight saving time in the United States for the first time. Originally, this change occurred on the last Sunday of March and ended on the last Sunday of October. However, over time, the dates were adjusted at the state level.
Nowadays, states can decide whether to participate in Daylight Saving Time, but they cannot establish a permanent one without Congressional approval.
This means that, although Florida has expressed intentions to maintain this schedule year-round, it needs federal authorization to do so.
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