Turning the Tide Chris Desai’s
crusade for ocean health.
At the Sustainable Development Congress held in Bangkok in June, we had the privilege of sitting down with Chris Desai, the founder of UOCEAN, an ocean conservation and clean-up project that has made significant strides in environmental activism. Chris’s personality radiated enthusiasm and optimism throughout our conversation, and it quickly became clear that his vibrant energy is a key driving force behind his perseverance and his success in protecting and nurturing the oceans and our planet.
Chris’s journey into environmental activism began long before the establishment of UOCEAN. It all started when he was just 14 years old, during a trip to India that would leave an indelible mark on his life. Travelling from Mumbai to Surat, Chris encountered an unsettling experience he did not would, in turn, shape his future endeavours. During a meal break, he witnessed the driver of his vehicle being denied the right to sit with them simply because he was from a lower caste—an “untouchable.” He was pushed to the ground and beaten up. This stark example of caste-based discrimination deeply disturbed Chris, igniting in him a lifelong commitment to social justice and equality.
As he grew older, Chris channelled his disdain for injustice
Chris is not only cleaning up the planet but also fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens who are ready to take action and make a difference. His work reminds us that change starts with each of us.
into his work. He entered the fashion industry with a clear purpose: to create a brand that treated everyone fairly and was ethical and eco-friendly. He launched his organic fashion brand, Vayyu, where workers were ensured fair wages and decent working conditions. Vayyu quickly gained recognition as an ethical fashion brand and expanded into skincare. Chris tells me, ‘At its peak, we were successfully able to feature Vayyu in 633 shops across the world. However, despite the brand’s success, I felt there was still more to be done—not just for people, but for the planet.’ What stood out in Chris’s narrative was how his connection with people and the environment infused every project he undertook. His tireless energy, which he brought into the fashion industry, was now directed toward environmental causes. He described how, after 13 years in the fashion industry, he was physically and mentally exhausted. The long hours, constant travel, and intense demands of the business had taken their toll.
Chris tells us that soon he realized that donating money to charity wasn’t enough—he needed to be directly involved in making a tangible impact as he was not satisfied with how much work was going on in actual with clean-ups. His deep connection with water and nature led him to explore how he could contribute to ocean conservation. This marked the beginning of his journey into environmental activism. Chris started small – cleaning up beaches, removing plastic waste, and raising awareness about preserving our oceans.
Then, launching UOCEAN during the pandemic presented significant challenges, the initiative began on the first day of the lockdown, and many people thought it was doomed from the start. But, Chris remained confident and saw an opportunity even in those difficult times. When the UK government allowed limited outdoor hours, he seized the moment. Chris started a social media account and announced by putting up a post that he would be stepping out at a certain hour each day to clean up a beach, inviting anyone who wanted to join. To his surprise, 10 people showed up on the first Monday. From there, the movement grew rapidly —from 10 volunteers to 100, then 200. Within six months, UOCEAN had mobilized over 1,000 volunteers. These volunteers came from diverse backgrounds—Black, Asian, and British — demonstrating the inclusivity of the movement. By March 2024, UOCEAN had grown to include 6,500 volunteers, with 18 clean-up sites across the UK. Every month, groups of 30-40 people would gather to clean beaches, lakes, and rivers, removing all kinds of plastic waste and helping to restore natural habitats
Chris speaks keenly about how UOCEAN’s impact didn’t stop at the UK’s borders, and how his team expanded their efforts to regions like Indonesia, where they not only focused on cleaning up but also on upskilling local communities. They provided education on waste management, fishing, diving, and other essential skills, empowering people to take control of their environment and livelihoods. In fishing communities, for example, UOCEAN educated locals on sustainable practices, which they could then pass on to their children, ultimately improving their overall well-being and lifestyle.
When asked how he managed funds with a growing vision to serve and an expanding team of volunteers, Chris says, ‘Despite the success of UOCEAN, I faced significant challenges in securing funding for the initiative. I started by investing my own money, but I knew that to sustain and grow the project, we needed support from businesses.’ Chris says that he comes from a business family and being a businessman plus his cheerful disposition made it easy for him to connect with people and rally support for his cause. However, he was adamant that this support wasn’t just about ticking a box on a CSR profile. He required a genuine commitment from businesses—a percentage of their profits dedicated to sustainability, not just a one-time donation. Over time, companies from the US, Ireland, Indonesia, and India joined the cause, contributing to UOCEAN’s projects. He emphasises how he made it clear that UOCEAN would not greenwash or customize its work to meet corporate needs. The focus remained on long-term, impactful projects that truly benefited the environment.
When asked about the role of youth in propelling environmental sustainability, Chris firmly believes that the role and engagement of the younger generations arecrucial to making a sustainable world for us. He elaborates that, unlike the previous generations, today’s
stand the consequences of inaction. They are motivated to fight for clean air, water, and lands free of plastic and pesticides. He praised the younger generation for their commitment and understanding, noting that they see the damage that has been done and feel a sense of responsibility to protect the planet for future generations.
Looking ahead, Chris’s vision for UOCEAN continues to evolve, and his endeavours for environmental conservation are matched by his commitment to holistic sustainability initiatives that encompass both ecological conservation and community well-being. Through UEARTH (another land-focused initiative), UOCEAN is addressing issues like food insecurity in disadvantaged communities Chris quotes, ‘In Leicester, for example, where 14,000 children live in poverty, through UEARTH we are teaching people how to grow food organically and so have enough produce to help feed these children. Our initiative also includes programs on mindfulness and wellness, helping people reconnect with nature and live more sustainably. Also like to mention one other innovative project under UOCEAN’s umbrella which is called ‘Heights with Possibilities’, which use small aircrafts to support conservation efforts. The program trains aspiring pilots to track poachers and protect wildlife, combining aviation skills with environmental stewardship.
Projects such as these exemplify Chris and his team’s commitment to creating a multifaceted approach to sustainability, where education, conservation, and community empowerment are interconnected and go hand in hand.
Chris Desai’s journey from a fashion entrepreneur to an environmental activist is proof to the power of personal conviction and the impact one individual can have on the world. His story is one of transformation—from witnessing injustice in India to building a global movement for ocean conservation and beyond. Through UOCEAN, Chris is not only cleaning up the planet but also fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens who are ready to take action and make a difference. His work reminds us that change starts with each of us, and with determination and vision, we can all contribute to a more sustainable and just world