OP-EDS

With the passing of the new Senate bill, daylight savings will remain permanent.

In March 2022, the Senate unanimously approved a bill to make daylight savings time permanent in 2023. Although the Senate approved the bill, they are still waiting for the House of Representatives to pass it before it can go to the President to sign. There are a lot of people who are on different sides of the argument of whether the bill should be passed or not. People who are advocating for the bill are saying that it will be lighter later, so people can be out later. People who are against the bill are saying that it will be darker longer in the mornings in the winter.

I think that the bill should not be passed. Although it would be nice for it to be lighter later, people’s natural sleep cycles will be messed up since the sunrise time in the winter will be a lot later. It will be very dark in the mornings while people are going to school or work. The number of car crashes people get into in the mornings could increase. This would happen because people will be so tired and thrown off their regular schedule. Keeping daylight savings times all year round will also cause people to be more tired in the mornings. Being tired in the morning could cause a lot of problems, for example making people late for school or work.

Another reason I do not think the bill should be passed is that a lot of

scientists say that they do not think keeping daylight savings time permanent is a good idea. They think that there will be a lot of potential health risks that could come with it. Some of the problems they think will increase are mood disorders, cardioLYDIA PRIANO vascular disease and an increase in motor vehicle crashes. I also think that if it stays lighter later, people will spend a lot more of their money. If it is light late at night, people are more likely to stay out doing things with their friends and family and spending money. Keeping daylight savings time permanent is not a good idea because it can cause health problems, throw off people’s sleep schedules and cause people to spend more money.

"Keeping daylight savings times all year round will also cause people to be more tired in the mornings."

STOP SUPPORTING FAST FASHION

Shein uses cruel labor practices and produces large amounts of waste

Shein, an online fast fashion company, has gained popularity over the past couple of years. People purchase this brand because the clothes are extremely cheap. The term “fast fashion” is exactly what it sounds like-- it is fast and cheap. Because the apparel is quick to produce, it is not ethically sourced.

This brand should not be supported because they use cruel labor practices on their workers and produce the most waste out of any apparel company.

Because Shein is an international company that does business in Britain, they are supposed to make public disclosures about working conditions along its supply chain, according to Reuters. The UK has a law in regards to child and forced labor. This law requires any companies to publicly “provide a statement searchable link available on a prominent place on its home page...outlining the steps it is taking to prevent modern slavery in its supply chain." Shein still declines to answer any information publicly.

According to Princeton University, it takes approximately 3,000 liters of water to make one cotton shirt. Toxic chemicals from dyeing the textiles end up in our oceans. Approximately 35% of microfibers are from textiles and synthetic materials produced by fast fashion companies. If marine animals consume these microplastics, the microfibers end up in our food chain and are eaten by humans. The more clothing people buy, the more likely they are to think of these clothes as disposable or one time use. Due to the ever changing trend cycle and microtrends flooding social media, “trends” come and go fast. People are not likely to wear these clothes more than one or two times and end up throwing it out at the end of the season. If people

wear these clothes as much as a nice quality piece of clothing, they would simply fall apart because of their cheap makeup. Therefore, tons of clothes and fabric end up polluting our landfills and our oceans. Though all fast fashion brands contribute to this system, Shein has ELLA KUNAR the biggest impact on environmental waste, according to Sustainably Chic. Shein is also located out of China, which means it produces tons of carbon to transport the loads of clothes and all of the money that Americans are spending on this brand is going to another economy and does not support American workers and businesses. I understand that not everyone is able to afford more expensive clothing that is sustainable; however, it is more financially beneficial to buy staple investment pieces that will last for a long time. Also, if people are looking for cheaper options to clothing, there are plenty of second hand stores and thrift stores that offer cheaper clothing.