July 18, 2024
Cited article by Global News (Author: Uday Rana)
HRCC supports the recent legal efforts in Canada to recognize the 'right to cooling' as a fundamental human right for tenants and farmworkers. As climate change has increased temperatures around the world, it is critical that governments do everything possible to ensure their people are protected.
News Brief
Rights advocates are pushing for laws that would ensure access to air conditioning, highlighting the severe health risks posed by extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable populations. Extreme heat waves have become more frequent and intense due to climate change, exacerbating health risks for tenants in poorly ventilated apartments and farmworkers laboring in high temperatures. Advocates argue that access to cooling is a matter of public health and safety, emphasizing that lack of air conditioning can lead to heat-related illnesses and even death. The push for legal recognition of the 'right to cooling' aims to mandate that landlords provide air conditioning in rental properties and that farmworkers have access to cool, safe working conditions.
Tenants in high-rise buildings without air conditioning have reported dangerously high indoor temperatures, particularly affecting elderly residents, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Similarly, farmworkers, often exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, face significant health risks without adequate cooling measures. The advocacy efforts seek to address these disparities and ensure that vulnerable populations are protected from the dangers of extreme heat. It is vital that legal measures are taken to guarantee access to air conditioning as a basic right, while recognizing the critical need to protect individuals from the health risks associated with extreme heat. Ensuring access to cooling is not just a matter of comfort, but a fundamental aspect of health, wellness, and safety.