Sustainable Strides

Ipsita Kaul speaks to Dia Mirza Rekhi on being a sustainability advocate and using her platform to support related initiatives

- Ipsita Kaul

A swift Instagram search presents you with Dia Mirza Rekhi’s able credentials—actor, eco investor, Goodwill Ambassador UNEP, UN Secretary General’s Advocate for SDGs, IFAW-Ambassador, and the list is rather extensive. Having donned many hats while relentlessly pushing forth the agenda for building a sustainable future, the actress’ personal choices have always run congruent to her public stance on these issues. Hence, it was imperative that we caught up with our ELLE Leaders of Change recipient for ELLE’s Sustainability Issue.

ELLE: What does sustainability mean to Dia Mirza Rekhi?

Dia Mirza Rekhi (DMR): To me, sustainability is about living in a way that allows us to meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It's about finding a balance between economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. Sustainability for me is a way of life and involves making conscious choices about the products we use, the food we eat, and the way we travel. It means being mindful of our impact on the environment and taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources and minimising waste. Sustainability is also about promoting social justice and equity, ensuring that everyone has access to food, water, and healthcare. It's about recognising the interconnectedness of all living beings and working together to create a more harmonious and equitable world. Ultimately, it is about creating a better future for ourselves and for the generations to come.

ELLE: Having been an advocate for the SDG goals by the United Nations, what were the learnings and in what ways have you implemented the same personally?