Somy Ali delivers a powerful message on World Environment Day, urging immediate, action-oriented responses to the climate crisis. From policy reforms to personal accountability, she emphasises that change must start now—and influence must be used meaningfully.
In a world reeling from climate catastrophes, former actress, activist, and humanitarian Somy Ali is not mincing words. In an exclusive conversation, she opens up about how climate change has ceased to be a distant threat and has become a daily emergency—one that demands more than passive concern and performative hashtags.
“The climate crisis is not tomorrow’s problem. It’s today’s emergency,” says Somy Ali with urgency in her voice. She adds, “Miami has gone from tropical to unliveable by April.
Monsoons in Mumbai now arrive like an unpredictable ambush. Winters have surrendered. Nature is sounding the alarm, but we’re too distracted to hear it. This isn’t just weather—it’s environmental warfare, and it’s man-made.”
She, who has always been vocal about human rights and environmental justice, believes that the battle must begin with a mindset shift—starting with how we perceive cleanliness and public hygiene.
“If we treated garbage like a national security threat, we’d be cleaner overnight,” Somy Ali asserts, adding, “Filth breeds disease, and disease disables economies. Isn’t that biological terrorism in slow motion? It starts with education and ends with enforcement.”
Walking the talk, Somy Ali has already incorporated conscious changes in her own life. “I’ve traded excessive travel for video conferencing. That’s one less car on the road, one less carbon footprint in the sky,” she explains.
Somy Ali continues, “Activism begins at home. I work mostly from home and drive a hybrid. My nonprofit uses recyclable jute bags—they’re even fashionable in New York now. I don’t use plastic. I believe in planting trees. I don’t claim to be perfect, but I take daily action like a soldier in this quiet war.”
Finally, Somy Ali weighs in on the impact of celebrity advocacy for climate causes. “Without a doubt, influence is a powerful tool—and when used wisely, it can drive positive change. If celebrities can sell soda and skin cream, they can sell sustainability.
A single eco-conscious post can spark thousands of conscious decisions. But it has to be more than a hashtag. If the climate battle is genuine—and it absolutely is—then our most influential voices must lead the charge,” Somy Ali concludes.
