China (Kind of) Wakes Up Early to Save Energy

By B. S. D. Mistry

A recent news story caught my eye: the Japanese environment ministry has issued a challenge to the Japanese people. They have suggested that if people wake up earlier and go to sleep just one hour earlier everyday they will save up to 85 Kg of CO2 emissions per family per year. In total that adds up to a potential saving of 20% on household light emissions.

The news story has been picked up by a lot of the domestic Chinese blogs. China, it seems, is already halfway there to an early wake-up without even realising it: China exists as one time zone. China from east to west should span three time zones; however, Beijing time is China time. While this helps from an administrative point of view, it also helps in regard to China’s energy bills in the heartland.

In the bulk of central chinese cities stretching from Xian through Chengdu people are already using more of the daylight since they are getting up an hour earlier anyway. However, in winter it is not a surprise to wake up at 7am to a pitch black world, so it’s not all good.

Spare a thought for the poor residents of Urumqi and Lhasa in the far west. They live out half there mornings in darkness, perhaps they should request time adjustments on the back of potential energy savings.

Further Reading: Daily Telegraph, Shenzhen Daily

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Image credit: Matinee Sundays