Week 9: Story Idea
I read on Al’s Morning Meeting about an article published in the Wall Street Journal outlining a new study that found that daylight savings time actually increases energy usage. The WSJ reported: “[Researchers] conclude that the reduced cost of lighting in afternoons during daylight-saving time is more than offset by the higher air-conditioning costs on hot afternoons and increased heating costs on cool mornings.” Another study conducted in 2007 by economists Hendrik Wolff and Ryan Kellogg said the same thing.
It’d be interesting to explore this idea, especially on campus where the Office of Sustainability is trying to become more prominent. I’d talk to Dedee DeLongpré, director, about this new information. How would they try to combat it? Is this the first time they’ve heard anything negative related to daylight savings? What can students do to help offset the increase of energy use? Do they plan on making this issue more prominent on campus?
I’d also like to talk to UF students about daylight savings. I know we all dread the “spring forward” aspect because we lose an hour of sleep, but what do students really think of it? Does the fact that it was originally designed to save money sort of clash with the fact that it really doesn’t?
Another good place to look for an interview would be GRU. I’d want to ask them about energy usage right after daylight savings time (March 9) in comparison to the days and months before it. Maybe they could give me an average usage for an average home in Gainesville. I’d see if they could try and calculate what an average bill would be if there were no daylight savings, or I would just do it on my own with the information given to me.
For the online aspect, I’d make a chart with the information gathered from GRU. I’d also interview students who live in apartments and houses to see if they would give me an average GRU bill for all 12 months to see how it pans out. I’d have a special section with audio, including interviews with Dedee and a GRU representative. I’d also have interactive graphics on the chart when your mouse rolled over certain spots that would show what you could be paying if there was no daylight savings. I’d also have a special section devoted to the history of daylight savings and why Benjamin Franklin’s idea started in the first place. I’d possibly have a timeline of important facts pertaining to the history.
