Climate Change Champions Spotlight - interview with Chris Desai

For de second year in a row, the ecological education platform GuerrillaVerde.ro is media partner of the Climate Change Summit, the largest event in Central and Eastern Europe dedicated to climate change, and brings to the public's attention a series of interviews with key guests of the Climate Change Summit, an editorial extension called Climate Change Champions Spotlight.

In the Spotlight: interview with Chris Desai, entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder of The Vayyu Foundation®, which promotes the circular economy.

Read the interview in English

Personal Journey and Inspiration: Can you share more about the transformation you experienced on the sailing yacht that led you to shift your focus from the fashion industry to environmental conservation? What were the key factors that motivated this change?

The transformation wasn’t just a shift; it was a complete overhaul of my purpose. I was deep into the fashion industry, a leader in most regards across the UK, a world driven by consumption and excess, when I found myself on a sailing yacht during a career. break, staring out at the ocean. It was a wake-up call—a moment of clarity where I realized that I was part of the machine that’s fueling environmental destruction. The ocean, once a symbol of freedom and possibility, was now a dumping ground for our waste. That’s when it hit me: I couldn’t just stand by and continue contributing to the problem. I needed to disrupt the status quo, break away from the industry, and start fighting for something bigger—our planet. That moment was the genesis of my organic sustainable brand Vayyu and then realising even being sustainable wasn't enough, i had to replenish the planet and help her to recover. This is when The Vayyu Foundation and our project UOCEAN 2050 was born. I’m not interested in just making changes; I’m here to spark a revolution in how we think about and interact with our environment.

The Vayyu Foundation and Its Impact: Why is it important for The Vayyu Foundation to engage ethnic, isolated, and marginalized communities in conservation efforts, and how does this inclusivity enhance the effectiveness of your projects?

We live in a world where the voices of ethnic, isolated, and marginalized communities are often drowned out, I can tell you from experience, starting a charity myself, yet they are the ones most directly impacted by environmental devastation. For The Vayyu Foundation, inclusivity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a critical component of our strategy. These communities possess deep, ancestral knowledge of the land and seas, and by bringing them into the fold, we’re not only making our projects more effective, we’re flipping the script on traditional conservation models. This isn’t about charity; it’s about empowerment. We’re disrupting the old ways of thinking and proving that real environmental progress comes from collaboration, respect, and elevating those who’ve been sidelined for too long. It’s this inclusive approach that’s made our work not just impactful, but transformative.

UOCEAN 2050 Project Focus: Could you tell us more about the methods employed by UOCEAN 2050 to combat plastic pollution, such as hand, boat, and kayak clean-ups, and how these contribute to your overall mission?

UOCEAN 2050 isn’t your average clean-up initiative—it’s a global movement with a bold mission to disrupt the cycle of plastic pollution. We’re attacking this problem on all fronts: hand clean-ups to mobilize communities, boat and kayak clean-ups to reach the places others can’t, and innovative solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Each method we employ is part of a larger strategy to not just remove plastic, but to prevent it from ever reaching our oceans again. We’re not here to play small. We’re here to make waves—literally. By taking direct action and inspiring others to join us, we’re rewriting the narrative on what it means to protect our oceans. And being nominated for the Earthshot Prize this year? That’s just proof that the world is waking up to the fact that what we’re doing is not just necessary—it’s revolutionary.

Climate Change Summit in Romania: What key messages or themes do you plan to address during your visit to the Climate Change Summit in Bucharest, and how do you see Romania's role in the global fight against climate change?

In Bucharest, I’m bringing a message of urgency and disruption. We don’t have time for complacency or half-measures. My focus will be on the power of local action to drive global change, and I’ll be challenging Romania to step up as a leader in the fight against climate change. Romania has a unique opportunity to disrupt the status quo in Eastern Europe by embracing sustainable practices and protecting its rich biodiversity. But let’s be clear—this isn’t about doing what’s easy, it’s about doing what’s right. I’m not just here to talk; I’m here to push boundaries and challenge everyone—governments, businesses, and individuals alike—to think bigger, act faster, and make real, lasting change. The global fight against climate change needs disruptors, and I see Romania as a key player in that movement.

I want Romania to remember it has a rich tradition of sustainability deeply rooted in its cultural heritage, where the principles of living in harmony with nature have been passed down through generations. From the pastoral practices of the Carpathian shepherds to the intricate craft of wooden architecture in Maramureș, Romanian culture embodies a profound respect for the land and its resources. Traditional Romanian agriculture, based on small-scale, organic farming, has long embraced crop rotation, natural fertilizers, and biodiversity—practices that modern sustainability movements now champion. The preservation of ancient forests, such as those in the Apuseni Mountains, and the celebration of seasonal festivals that honor the cycles of nature reflect a deep-seated connection to the environment. Romania's approach to sustainability isn't just a modern trend; it's a way of life that has endured for centuries, offering valuable lessons in resilience and ecological stewardship that the world can learn from today.

Broader Environmental Perspectives: What do you see as the most urgent environmental issue facing the planet today, and how can individuals, especially young people, make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond?

The most urgent environmental issue today is our addiction to unsustainable practices—climate change is just a symptom of this deeper problem such as biodiversity collapse. We’re living on borrowed time, and unless we disrupt the systems driving this crisis, the consequences will be catastrophic. Young people are the catalysts for change, and they’re not waiting for permission to act—they’re demanding it. 

My advice? Don’t just make a difference; make noise. Challenge the norms, push boundaries, and don’t be afraid to disrupt the way things are done. Whether it’s reducing your carbon footprint, mobilizing your community, or leveraging social media to amplify your message, the power is in your hands. The world needs more rebels, more innovators, more people who refuse to accept the status quo. That’s how we’re going to turn this ship around.

Personal Insights and Reflections: As a diver, pilot, and seafarer, how has your connection to the planet's waters influenced your work and commitment to marine conservation?

Being a diver, pilot, and seafarer has given me a front-row seat to both the beauty and the destruction of our planet’s waters. It’s one thing to see a documentary about ocean pollution; it’s another to dive into it, to fly over it, and to sail through it. These experiences have fueled my commitment to marine conservation because I’ve seen firsthand what’s at stake. The oceans aren’t just vast bodies of water; they’re the lifeblood of our planet, and they’re under siege. My connection to the water isn’t just professional—it’s personal. Every dive, every flight, every journey on the sea reinforces why I do what I do. It’s why I’m relentless in my mission to protect our oceans and why I won’t stop until we’ve made real, measurable change.

Future Plans and Vision: What are your plans for The Vayyu Foundation and your other initiatives, and are there any upcoming projects or goals you are particularly excited about?

Looking ahead, The Vayyu Foundation and UOCEAN 2050 are poised to scale our impact by merging innovation with tradition, we’re planning to implement 10 river barriers across key global locations to intercept plastic waste before it reaches the oceans, focusing on major waterways that are significant contributors to marine pollution. This initiative goes beyond traditional methods, as we're integrating advanced technology and AI-driven solutions to monitor, predict, and respond to pollution in real-time. By combining cutting-edge technology with the ecological wisdom embedded, we’re not just addressing the symptoms of pollution but tackling its sources. Our goal is to create a robust, adaptive system that not only protects our oceans but also empowers communities worldwide to become active participants in this fight, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Citește interviul în Română

The ecological education platform GuerrillaVerde.ro is a partner of this initiative and brings to the public's attention a series of interviews with key guests of the Climate Change Summit 2024, an editorial extension called Climate Change Champions Spotlight. Interview conducted by Nicoleta Talpeș, Guerrilla Verde.