As Dia Mirza approaches 25 years in the Indian film industry, her career reflects a dual focus on acting and sustained engagement with environmental issues. Alongside her work across cinema, streaming platforms, and production, Mirza has maintained a long-standing involvement in climate and environmental advocacy, particularly around air pollution and public health.
For Mirza, environmental action has been a consistent commitment rather than an occasional association. Speaking about her focus on air quality, she said, “Clean air has always been central to my environmental activism. When I was appointed a UNEP ambassador about eight years ago, I attended a conference in Bangkok for a campaign called Breathe Life. That was when I was introduced to the data and statistics on air pollution that are only now becoming part of wider public discourse. Back then, air quality barely received attention outside a few winter months, and even then it was framed as a Delhi problem. The data today makes it clear that this is not regional; it is national. Yet, it still hasn’t been prioritised by states with the urgency it demands. For nearly a decade, we’ve been saying one thing: the right to life begins with the right to breathe, and the right to breathe begins with the right to breathe clean air.”
Mirza highlighted how air pollution often escapes sustained attention because it is not always visible. “Air pollution isn’t always visible unless it becomes extremely dense, which is why people notice it more in winter. But data shows that air quality remains poor for long stretches through the year,” she said, pointing to the broader health implications. “When 21 of the world’s most polluted cities are in India, we have to acknowledge this as a national health emergency.”
She further detailed the impact of prolonged exposure, stating, “Pregnant women, foetuses, children in their developmental years, everyone is affected. Prolonged exposure causes brain fog, developmental disruptions in children, inflammation in women in their 40s or those going through menopause, and a range of respiratory illnesses. In simple terms, it’s bad for us. AQI levels above 100 are harmful, and anything crossing 300 is dangerous even for short exposure. This is not something we can afford to normalise.”
Mirza also raised concerns about inconsistencies in air quality reporting. “I track data from multiple platforms, including IQAir and the CPCB-approved monitor at ICRISAT, a scientific institution here in Hyderabad. What worries me is that these platforms often show very different numbers. Independent apps frequently report AQI levels that are 30 to 40 points higher than those on state-run platforms,” she said. “When official readings consistently appear lower, it creates confusion and, worse, a false sense of safety. Discrediting third-party apps, questioning devices, or even manipulating readings does not solve anything. It only shifts attention away from the real issue. Denial helps no one. We must acknowledge the problem honestly, present accurate information, and treat air pollution for what it truly is: a public health emergency.”
Her association with the United Nations has spanned several years and roles, including serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme, an Advocate for the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals, and an Ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India. Through participation in global forums, awareness campaigns, and local initiatives, Mirza has continued to focus on climate action, conservation, and public awareness.
While her film career continues to evolve, Mirza’s environmental work remains an ongoing part of her public life, cantered on data-driven awareness and the need for sustained policy and societal attention to issues such as air pollution.
Also Read: Dia Mirza marks birthday with powerful climate appeal: “I’m always walking this path with you”
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