Welcome to Sustain Talks, where we dive deep into the stories of remarkable individuals who are making a real impact on our planet. Today, we have an extraordinary guest, Chris Desai, a true force of change in the world of conservation.

Chris, the global director at UOCEAN and UEARTH since 2015, wears many hats - founder of The Vayyu Foundation, CEO at Vayyu, conservationist, philanthropist, captain, diver, and tireless advocate for a mission to remove one billion kilos of river and ocean plastics. But Chris's journey didn't start in the world of sustainability or conservation.

Born in the heart of rural England, specifically Leicester, which couldn't be farther from the ocean in the UK, Chris's early life was far from privileged. His father was a refugee who had to flee his country at gunpoint, and Chris grew up with a deep appreciation for nature, even though conservation was not on his radar initially.

Chris's career took him into the worlds of music and fashion in central London, where he spent a decade as an art director for a major fashion firm. It was during his travels around the world, witnessing the environmental damage caused by the fashion industry, that Chris's perspective shifted. He realized that while oil and gas were often vilified, fast fashion was equally unsustainable and lacked a meaningful societal impact.

This awakening led Chris to start the organic and sustainable brand Vayyu, focusing on eco-friendly practices and ethical production. But starting a sustainable fashion brand was no easy task, and Chris faced numerous challenges and setbacks.

However, Vayyu eventually found success, becoming one of the UK's most ethical fashion brands. Despite this achievement, Chris felt that he was still not doing enough to address the urgent environmental issues facing our planet. This realization prompted him to search for a charity dedicated to ocean and river plastics removal but found none that aligned with his vision.

Determined to make a difference, Chris founded The Vayyu Foundation, which would later evolve into UOCEAN. He embarked on a journey to normalize conservation efforts, especially among young people and underrepresented communities. His commitment led to the creation of a massive movement, with thousands of volunteers joining the cause.

UOCEAN is not only cleaning up rivers, beaches, and local areas but also breaking down barriers and stereotypes associated with conservation. The organization has chapters across the UK and internationally, fostering social cohesion among diverse groups and proving that conservation knows no boundaries.

In just a few years, UOCEAN has removed over 350,000 kilos of plastic by hand and is now implementing innovative solutions like Global River Barriers and empowering isolated communities to become conservationists.

Chris's story is a testament to the power of one individual's determination to make a positive impact on the world. Join us as we dive deeper into his inspiring journey and the remarkable work of UOCEAN.

Find out more about UOCEAN here: https://uocean.org/

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