Final Answer:
The author is referring to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) when mentioning "Green Man" time in the U.K.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "Green Man" time in the U.K. is synonymous with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Greenwich, a district in London, is home to the Royal Observatory, where the Prime Meridian is located. The Prime Meridian is the line of longitude that is defined as 0 degrees, and GMT is the time at this meridian. The use of "Green Man" in this context can be traced back to the tradition of having a green signal or light indicating the time for pedestrians to cross the road safely. In this case, it symbolizes the official time reference for the United Kingdom, reflecting the global standard for timekeeping.
Greenwich Mean Time serves as the baseline for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is widely used for global time synchronization. The use of GMT eliminates the complexities arising from different time zones, making it a universal reference for coordinating activities across the world. To calculate the time difference between GMT and other time zones, one simply needs to add or subtract the appropriate number of hours. This standardization facilitates global communication, financial transactions, and various international activities that require precise timing.
In conclusion, the author's mention of "Green Man" time in the U.K. refers to Greenwich Mean Time, a historically significant time standard that plays a crucial role in international timekeeping and coordination. The utilization of GMT simplifies time-related calculations and ensures a standardized reference point for various applications on a global scale.