Actor and United Nations Organization Environmental Program (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza has found himself at the center of a raging online storm following controversial remarks linking patriarchal power structures to global environmental degradation. appear on Soha Ali KhanIn the ‘All About Her’ podcast, alongside environmental journalist Arati Kumar-Rao, the ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’ star explicitly said that men and patriarchal mindsets are “fully responsible for the chaos” of climate change. While proponents of ecofeminism have come forward to defend the exploration of systemic domination over nature, a massive wave of criticism on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit has blasted the actor, claiming the hypocrisy of celebrity elite lifestyles.
What did Dia Mirza say?
In Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, she sat down with environmental journalist, author and photographer Mirza Arati Kumar-Rao to explore the issues of climate change, environmental degradation and humanity’s connection to the natural world. Making his stance clear, Mirza stated, “Patriarchy is the cause of climate change. It is the men of this world…”Soha interjected, “Ego you said male.”Dia continued, “Yes, it is men who have driven climate change and are completely and utterly responsible for the chaos that has been unleashed in our world today and the misery that people everywhere are facing. I mean, not just the global south, but the global north now, right?”
Dia Mirza’s comments drew mixed reactions
This remark was made during a conversation about climate change and the connection between humans and nature, and Arati Kumar-Rao was also an environmental journalist, author and photographer. Reactions were mixed; some audience members supported Mirza’s perspective as part of a broader conversation about environmental justice, while others felt that his remarks oversimplified the complex causes of climate change.
Dia Mirza and Kumar-Rao discuss ecofeminism
The podcast touched on how large-scale damage to nature can be linked to systems of power and control. Mirza said that the way humans exploit nature stems from a mindset that values ​​dominance and aggressive development. Kumar-Rao added that “patriarchy is not just for men, and feminism is not just for women,” explaining that women can also support patriarchal ideas, while men can support feminist ones. The talk was rooted in ecofeminism, a belief system that links damage to the environment to the long-standing oppression of women.
Dia Mirza confronts celebrity hypocrisy claims online
The remarks quickly spread on platforms like X and Reddit, where many users pushed back against Mirza’s views. Some critics said it was hypocritical that rich celebrities are in no position to lecture everyday people about climate change when their lavish lifestyles leave a much larger carbon footprint. Some users also pointed to the podcast itself and raised questions about whether famous public figures are the right people to talk about environmental responsibility.
Critics call Dia Mirza’s argument too simplistic
Many users believed that blaming climate change on the patriarchy was too simplistic for a complex global problem. They argued that factors such as industrialization, dependence on fossil fuels, government decisions, economic systems and corporate pollution play a much more direct role in causing environmental damage. Some commentators also noted that much of the infrastructure built over the past two centuries was built without any real awareness of the long-term impact on the environment. They felt that bringing gender into the policy conversation distracts from the practical technology-based and policy-driven solutions that are actually needed to address climate change.
Dia Mirza’s long career as an environmental advocate
Mirza has been actively involved in the cause of the environment for years, along with his work as an actor. He is associated with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and has spoken on issues such as sustainability, air pollution and climate action. He previously shared that his passion for the environment was strengthened after attending a UNEP conference in Bangkok, where he learned about research and data on air pollution that had not reached the mainstream consciousness in India. With nearly 25 years in the film industry, Mirza continues to balance her work on screen with her commitment to environmental activism. His recent comments have brought that work back into the public eye, while sparking a broader online conversation about climate change, responsibility, and how social systems shape the way we treat our environment.
