The controversy began after a clip from the podcast All About Her, hosted by Soha Ali Khan and featuring environmentalist Arati Kumar Rao, circulated widely on social media. During a conversation about environmental degradation and climate change, remarked, “It is the men who have driven the climate change, and they are totally responsible for the chaos.”
The statement quickly went viral, prompting heated discussions across various platforms. Addressing the debate, Dia shared a detailed note on social media alongside a video explaining her perspective. In her statement, she stated that her argument was rooted in the role of patriarchal systems throughout history. “I stand by my statement ‘Patriarchy caused the climate crises,'” she wrote.
Dia Mirza has always been vocal about climate change
According to Dia, climate change should not be viewed solely as an environmental problem but also as a crisis of inequality. She argued that patriarchal systems have historically concentrated power, prioritised extraction over care, and treated both nature and vulnerable communities as resources to be exploited.
Why Dia Links Patriarchy To Climate Change
Elaborating further, Dia explained that the same systems that have marginalised women have also contributed to environmental destruction. She noted that forests, rivers, oceans and ecosystems have often been viewed as commodities rather than resources requiring protection and stewardship. In her view, this approach mirrors the way women and girls have frequently been treated within patriarchal societies.
The actress also added that women and girls, particularly those living in vulnerable communities, are often among the first groups affected by climate-related disasters. Issues such as water scarcity, food insecurity, displacement and loss of livelihoods disproportionately impact women across many regions. Despite facing these challenges, Dia pointed out that women remain significantly underrepresented in environmental policymaking and decision-making spaces.
She further argued that climate action cannot be separated from conversations about justice, equity and representation. In the video accompanying her statement, Dia said, “Remember, patriarchy and climate change are deeply related. Both emerge from systems that value extraction over care,” she said.
The actress also argued that economic structures built around extraction, domination and unchecked consumption have played a major role in accelerating environmental damage. According to her, these same systems often work to discredit voices advocating for environmental protection and women’s rights. Dia concluded by stressing that solving the climate crisis requires more than reducing carbon emissions. “Building a sustainable future requires us to move away from systems of domination and towards systems rooted in equity, compassion, and respect for all life,” she wrote.
While Dia might have faced backlash for the viral clip, in which she specifically called out men, in her statement on Instagram, she stated how its the patriarchal systems. Do you agree with her statement? Write to us at @ZoomTV on X.