Being a climate champion is the ‘role of a lifetime’ for Dia Mirza

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On World Environment Day on June 5, actor, producer and UN Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza says that her work for the planet is her calling as an earth citizen.

Climate champion Dia does not believe in tokenism when it comes to doing her bit for the environment, and says, “Like all the roles that I play in my personal and professional life, I take my work as an earth citizen very seriously. Being a climate champion is the role of a lifetime for me. The work I do for the planet as a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate and a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador is my calling. As an earth citizen and a mother, I am personally invested in the health and well-being of our environment because our health and survival depends on what we do for or against the earth. Every negative or positive action is right now impacting the planet, and I hope to continue doing my bit to make a difference.”

This is one of the reasons why Dia has always taken a clear stand when it comes to issues like plastic pollution, climate change, deforestation, shrinking animal habitats and biodiversity loss.

She says, “Using my platform to speak about these issues is important, but even more necessary is to inspire change by example. Over the years, walking the talk has been a priority, so I have been very transparent about how I manage my waste and steer clear of single-use plastics on my shoots and while traveling. My search for sustainable products for my home has led me to invest in eco-friendly businesses. I have switched to a mostly plant-based diet, grow trees for all celebrations/birthdays, and I routinely highlight the importance of using green products like bamboo brushes,  biodegradable sanitary napkins,  metal bottles and more.”

Dia also engages with change-makers from around the world and in India to highlight the work that individuals and organizations are doing to address climate change and fight for choked oceans, denuded mountains and fast depleting resources.

The actor says that engaging with the young is her life’s work because it is they who will spearhead change. She adds, “When I campaign for the survival of snow leopards, speak about ceaseless fires in our parched forests or talk about how pollution is impacting even our unborn children, I am addressing the young, because they will inherit this planet. My goal is to mainstream conversations about issues that do not get enough bandwidth in the media, even though they impact every living being on this earth. My mother has been battling  chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder because of pollution and I worry about the kind of air my son will grow up to breathe.”

Through her campaigns like #BeatPlasticPollution, initiatives against illegal wildlife trade and the recent Quint event, Me the Change: Women for the Planet as well as Greenathons on NDTV, her attempt has always been to advocate positive action and disseminate information about how every individual can be an agent of change.

Dia says, “This is the 50^th anniversary of World Environment Day, and we must take cognizance of how much of the earth’s green cover, biodiversity and resources we have lost to our greed and heedless consumption. This is the only window we have to fight for the earth and we must make the most of it or we will be too late.”

As an actress, Dia made her debut in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein 20 years ago. The actress has been at the forefront of social issues for almost a decade now.