Daylight Saving Time

I don't know anybody who likes daylight savings time (DST). But it has been coming earlier and ending later for several years. In fact, it has been decreed that next year it will begin 3 weeks earlier, and will end later. The excuse is saving energy. Now, I care deeply about our environment, upon which our very lives depend, as well as the economy. But I am not persuaded that DST helps us in that respect. What are the effects.
1) People are likely to stay up later, getting even less sleep.
2) More people will be driving home from work in the heat of the day, with all there individual car air conditioners on, lowering gas milage, and increasing smog levels.
3) This is the one I suspect is the real reason for this increase in DST.People will be more likely to go to the store and recreational aread and spend money.

Now, this is supposed to be a democracy, but we have never been offered a chance to vote on this matter. Looking at how our leaders have been delaying and blocking solutions to our environmental problems for the sake of profits for big business, it is ludicrous to believe them when they say DST is for the good of the environment.