I stand by it: Dia Mirza doubles down on 'patriarchy causes climate change' claim
Dia Mirza has explained her remarks linking patriarchy to climate change after online backlash. She said her comments were about unequal power structures driving extraction and environmental harm.
Actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza has responded to the criticism over her recent remarks linking patriarchy to climate change, saying her comments were misunderstood and that she stands by them. In a video shared on Instagram, Mirza clarified that she was referring to patriarchal power structures and the systems they created, not blaming individual men.
Addressing the backlash, Mirza wrote, "Since so many of you are debating this, it is timely to explain as simply as one can. I stand by my statement 'Patriarchy caused the climate crises.' Climate change is often spoken about as an environmental crisis. But it is also a crisis of inequality. For centuries, patriarchal systems have concentrated power, prioritised extraction over care, and treated both nature and vulnerable communities as resources to be exploited rather than protected (sic)."
She went on to draw a parallel between the exploitation of nature and the treatment of women in patriarchal societies.
"Forests, rivers, oceans, and ecosystems have been viewed as commodities. Just as women often are. The consequences of this thinking are now impossible to ignore," Mirza said.
Watch the video here:
The controversy began after Mirza appeared on Soha Ali Khan's podcast, where she said, "Patriarchy is the cause for climate change. It is the men in this world that have. Yeah, it's men who have driven climate change, and they are entirely and totally responsible for the chaos that has been unleashed on our world today and the misery that people are experiencing everywhere. I mean, not just the global south, but the global north as well now, right?"
Her remarks quickly sparked debate on social media, with a section of users criticising her comments.
Dia Mirza doubles down on her claims
The actor further explained that she and environmental journalist Arati Kumar-Rao had discussed the issue in an episode of All About Her. According to Mirza, they spoke about how "this very extractive, uncaring, and dominating system, entirely controlled by men, has led to economic structures that contribute to Climate Change."
She added, "It is the very systems of extractive dominance that are also working overtime on discrediting voices that speak up for nature protection and women's rights."
Mirza also argued that women and girls, particularly those from vulnerable communities, are often the first to bear the consequences of climate change through water scarcity, food insecurity, displacement and loss of livelihoods, while remaining under-represented in environmental decision-making.
Calling for a broader understanding of climate action, she said it should also focus on justice and challenge systems that reward endless extraction and consumption while undervaluing care, cooperation and stewardship.
Watch the viral video here:
"The climate crisis is not only about carbon. It is about how we choose to relate to each other and to the natural world. 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 said.
Despite the continued criticism online, Mirza maintained that her original remarks were aimed at highlighting the role of patriarchal systems in driving environmental degradation, and reiterated that she stands by her statement.
Actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza has responded to the criticism over her recent remarks linking patriarchy to climate change, saying her comments were misunderstood and that she stands by them. In a video shared on Instagram, Mirza clarified that she was referring to patriarchal power structures and the systems they created, not blaming individual men.
Addressing the backlash, Mirza wrote, "Since so many of you are debating this, it is timely to explain as simply as one can. I stand by my statement 'Patriarchy caused the climate crises.' Climate change is often spoken about as an environmental crisis. But it is also a crisis of inequality. For centuries, patriarchal systems have concentrated power, prioritised extraction over care, and treated both nature and vulnerable communities as resources to be exploited rather than protected (sic)."
She went on to draw a parallel between the exploitation of nature and the treatment of women in patriarchal societies.
"Forests, rivers, oceans, and ecosystems have been viewed as commodities. Just as women often are. The consequences of this thinking are now impossible to ignore," Mirza said.
Watch the video here:
The controversy began after Mirza appeared on Soha Ali Khan's podcast, where she said, "Patriarchy is the cause for climate change. It is the men in this world that have. Yeah, it's men who have driven climate change, and they are entirely and totally responsible for the chaos that has been unleashed on our world today and the misery that people are experiencing everywhere. I mean, not just the global south, but the global north as well now, right?"
Her remarks quickly sparked debate on social media, with a section of users criticising her comments.
Dia Mirza doubles down on her claims
The actor further explained that she and environmental journalist Arati Kumar-Rao had discussed the issue in an episode of All About Her. According to Mirza, they spoke about how "this very extractive, uncaring, and dominating system, entirely controlled by men, has led to economic structures that contribute to Climate Change."
She added, "It is the very systems of extractive dominance that are also working overtime on discrediting voices that speak up for nature protection and women's rights."
Mirza also argued that women and girls, particularly those from vulnerable communities, are often the first to bear the consequences of climate change through water scarcity, food insecurity, displacement and loss of livelihoods, while remaining under-represented in environmental decision-making.
Calling for a broader understanding of climate action, she said it should also focus on justice and challenge systems that reward endless extraction and consumption while undervaluing care, cooperation and stewardship.
Watch the viral video here:
"The climate crisis is not only about carbon. It is about how we choose to relate to each other and to the natural world. 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 said.
Despite the continued criticism online, Mirza maintained that her original remarks were aimed at highlighting the role of patriarchal systems in driving environmental degradation, and reiterated that she stands by her statement.
