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Is energy access a human right?

expat (@expat@mamot.fr)

https://mamot.fr/@expat/110875999752420715

Is energy access a human right? When #energy suppliers refuse to serve someone, are they violating #humanRights? Note: * heating during the winter keeps people alive * refrigeration keeps food safe * some people rely on life-support systems that require electricity OTOH, the above needs can be met using PV panels, batteries, a tent inside the house for extra insulation, etc. So it’s a messy question. For the #poll below: HR=human right DoHR= #UN Declaration of Human Rights (#UNDoHR) [ ] energy is a HR both philosophically & per DoHR [ ] energy is a HR philosophically but NOT by DoHR [ ] energy is not a HR philosophically but is per DoHR [ ] energy is NOT a HR philosophically or by DoHR

A Mastodon poll is linked to the title.

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greengnu

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Energy in the technical sense has always been a human right as we would literally die without it (ATP production kind of requires it and sunlight tends to power food production too)

If by energy you mean electricity or chemical energy in convenient containers (like butane canisters) then no but improving access would extend lives and reduce the total environmental pollution if done properly. As there is not an upper bound on how much every one could claim they need and lack of access to energy efficient options would make the lower bound insufficient for most people to live off.