Dia Mirza Faces Backlash for Blaming Patriarchy for the Climate Crisis, Says She Stands Firmly by Her Words

Actor and UN Environment Programme goodwill ambassador Dia Mirza blamed men and patriarchal systems for climate change during a podcast conversation. After facing criticism online, she explained her stand in detail and insisted she stands by every word.

Actor Dia Mirza has found herself at the centre of a heated debate over one of her recent statements. Beyond acting, she also serves as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme, and that worldview clearly shaped her remarks. During a recent conversation with Soha Ali Khan, she described patriarchal structures as the biggest force damaging the planet's climate. The comment triggered a wave of criticism online, with a large section of users targeting her. She has now responded openly to all the reactions.

What Dia Actually Said on the Podcast

Speaking on Soha Ali Khan's podcast, Dia pinned the blame for climate change and environmental harm on men. She said, 'Patriarchy is the biggest cause of climate change. In this world, it is men who have...' At this point Soha interjected, 'You were talking about the male ego.' Continuing her thought, Dia added, 'Yes, it is men who have fuelled climate change, and they are entirely responsible for all the turmoil unfolding in the world today. And this is not only happening in the Global South, it is happening in the Global North too.'

Her Reply to the Trolling: I Stand by My Words

Amid the online debate, Dia offered a clarification, writing, 'Because so many of you are debating this, it is best to explain it as simply as possible. I still stand by my statement that the climate crisis has been created by patriarchy.' She explained that climate change is usually treated as a purely environmental problem, when it is in fact a crisis of inequality as well. According to her, for centuries patriarchal systems have held on to power, prioritised the exploitation of resources over care, and treated nature and vulnerable communities as something to be exploited rather than protected.

Nature and Women Treated the Same Way

Sharpening her argument, the actor said that the way women and girls are treated in a patriarchal society is exactly how forests, rivers, oceans and ecosystems have been treated. In her words, all of them have been seen merely as a 'commodity' or an 'object', and the consequences of that are now impossible to ignore. Dia also noted that in this episode of 'All About Her', she and Aarti discussed how the exploitative, careless and domineering systems built by men have created economic structures that drive climate change.

The Question of Women's Voice in Decisions

Dia believes these same systems, built on exploitation and dominance, are weakening the very voices that speak up for protecting nature and for women's rights. She pointed out that women and girls from vulnerable communities are usually the first to bear the brunt of climate change, whether it is water scarcity, food insecurity, displacement or loss of livelihood. Yet their participation remains extremely low in almost every space where environmental decisions are made.

Not Just About Carbon, But About Justice

Closing her response, Dia said, 'When we talk about the steps to be taken for climate change, we must also talk about justice. We must question the systems that constantly promote exploitation and consumption while undervaluing values like care, cooperation and protecting nature.' She added that the climate crisis is not only about carbon, but also about the kind of relationship we build with one another and with the natural world. To create a sustainable future, she argued, we must move away from systems of dominance and towards ones rooted in equality, compassion and respect for all living beings.

What this means for you
• For everyday readers: This debate is a reminder that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also one of inequality, and its effects on water, food and livelihoods hit vulnerable groups first.
• For women: Dia's argument highlights the need to include more women in environmental decision-making, since they bear the heaviest impact of the crisis.

Questions & Answers

1. What did Dia Mirza say that sparked the controversy?
On Soha Ali Khan's podcast she said patriarchy is the biggest cause of climate change and that men are responsible for the turmoil in the world.

2. How did Dia respond to the trolling?
She said she still stands fully by her statement that the climate crisis was created by patriarchy, and described it as a crisis of inequality as well.

3. Which organisation is Dia Mirza associated with?
Apart from acting, she is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme.

4. On which podcast did this conversation take place?
It took place in the 'All About Her' episode of Soha Ali Khan's podcast, which also featured Aarti.

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