Clean Air Is a Fundamental Freedom, Not a Luxury: Dia Mirza on Climate Responsibility
As Dia Mirza moves towards completing 25 years in Indian cinema, her career tells a story that extends far beyond films. Known for her sustained presence across mainstream movies, digital platforms and production, the actor has also carved out a parallel identity as one of India’s most steadfast environmental advocates. While many public figures align themselves briefly with causes, Mirza’s engagement with climate and conservation issues has been consistent, informed and action-oriented.
Environmental responsibility, she explains, has never been an add-on to her professional life. It has been central to how she understands her role as a citizen with a platform. Air pollution, in particular, has remained a core focus of her work. Her deeper engagement began nearly a decade ago when she was appointed an ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. During an international campaign meeting in Bangkok, she was confronted with global air quality research that, at the time, had barely entered mainstream discussion in India.
Back then, air pollution was largely treated as a seasonal inconvenience or a problem limited to the capital. Today, the evidence paints a far grimmer picture. The crisis, Mirza notes, affects the entire country and yet continues to be addressed with alarming complacency. For years, environmental experts and advocates have repeated a simple truth: the most basic human right — the right to live — is inseparable from the ability to breathe safely.
One of the greatest challenges, she believes, is that polluted air often goes unnoticed. Unless smog becomes visibly thick, many people underestimate the damage being done. However, year-round data shows that air quality remains unhealthy for extended periods. With over 20 of the world’s most polluted cities located in India, Mirza argues that the situation should be treated as a nationwide medical crisis rather than an environmental footnote.
The health consequences are far-reaching. Expectant mothers, unborn children, young people in critical developmental stages and ageing adults all face serious risks. Long-term exposure has been linked to cognitive difficulties, developmental delays, hormonal inflammation and chronic breathing disorders. Air quality readings exceeding safe limits are not abstract numbers, she stresses, but indicators of real harm. Levels considered “moderate” can already damage health, while extreme readings pose immediate danger.
Mirza also raises concerns about transparency in air quality reporting. By monitoring data from both independent platforms and government-approved systems, she has noticed stark discrepancies. When official figures consistently appear lower than independent readings, public trust erodes and a misleading sense of security takes hold. Questioning data sources or minimising figures, she warns, only distracts from the urgency of the issue.
Her long-standing work with the United Nations reflects commitment rather than symbolism. From serving as a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and wildlife conservation, Mirza’s advocacy has been marked by depth and persistence. In a time of fleeting attention spans, her message remains clear: clean air is not a privilege — it is a basic right that demands immediate action.
