Podcast | 'I Will Never Do a Coca-Cola Brand Endorsement': Dia Mirza

In this episode of News and Views, Sadhika Tiwari talks to Dia Mirza

Photo: The Quint

The 27th Conference of Parties (COP) is over and we are back to get one last shake out of it. Today, on News and Views, the Quint's podcast series, we bring to you a recurring guest, the Environment Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General's Advocate for Sustainable Development-- Dia Mirza.

On this podcast Dia and our resident climate journalist, Sadhika Tiwari discuss the dilemma of a climate conscious existence, the reality of climate change, what did we gain out of COP 27 and a lot more.

"I wouldn't endorse Coca-cola. At all. I've reached a point in my life where I don't do anything that feels counter-intuitive. I don't operate for money."

Dia Mirza, Environment Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General's Advocate for Sustainable Development.

Dia speaks about how her choice to be a climate conscious person has cost her money. She acknowledges her own privilege as someone who has the ability to turn down such campaigns, but sticks by her principles proudly."

‘Maybe We Just Need to Become Hermits'

"I think, the all-in-all summation of COP27, for all of us, should be-- there is heightened awareness. There is a significant shift in the actions people are willing to take. I think there is more work being done than ever before."

Dia Mirza, Environment Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General's Advocate for Sustainable Development.

Ethical consumerism as an individual in this day and age, has been made out to be a rather herculean task; and you know what? Maybe it is. In this podcast, Dia brings to us the conversation surrounding ethical consumerism, especially in a profit-based film industry and how it impacts her personal and professional choices.

"There are many things I find myself saying no to, that I perhaps, would have said yes to over a decade ago. So many jobs I say no to. So many people and so many associations I say no to."

Dia Mirza, Environment Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General's Advocate for Sustainable Development.

Dia has made a number of personal life choices influenced by her decision to support climate activism. She speaks about how she and her husband considered switching to an electric car but she decided against doing so because electric vehicles are still powered by electricity generated via coal. Therefore, sticking with her current car made more sense to keep her carbon footprint in check.

She also speaks about how actions connected to activism are often viewed as annoying but claims that it is only because it takes time for these actions to become the norm. She provides the example of metal water bottles, something she has been carrying with herself everywhere, when single use plastic bottles were always more convenient.

"When I started out, people mocked me, they ridiculed me, they made fun of me, they called me crazy. But, I think the point is-- If we know better, we have to do better."

Dia Mirza, Environment Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General's Advocate for Sustainable Development.

Tune in to this episode of News and Views where we talk about ethical consumerism, the highs and lows of climate activism, and reactionary play-by-play of this year's COP results.

If you are interested in such fun conversations on climate change, we have another episode of News and Views with award winning climate journalist, Bhasker Tripathi, where we gossip a little bit about ongoing COP27 politics.

(Our on-ground climate journalism needs your insights, ideas, and financial support - as we cover the biggest crisis of our times. Become a Q-Insider so we can bring more such stories to light, and Sadhika Tiwari, our resident climate journalist can attend COP28)