Meet our Early Career Ocean Professionals: Ajay Sawant (Challenge 10)
Ajay Sawant is a conservation communicator, social entrepreneur, and a changemaker from India. He uses media, mentorship and conservation to drive impact, empowering young people to take action for the causes they care about. He is the founder of Generation Artivism, an initiative dedicated to amplifying youth voices by helping them determine their ideal style of advocacy, as well as being the President of ThinkOcean Society, a global youth-led network dedicated to marine conservation.
1. Hi Ajay, can you tell us how are you working towards Ocean Decade Challenge 10: Restore Society’s Relationship with the Ocean?
As a communicator, I help audiences recognise the ocean’s crucial role in their lives, fostering a generation equipped with the awareness and commitment to protect it. I focus on youth engagement, ocean literacy, and community-led conservation through Generation Artivism, ThinkOcean Society, and Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs. At ThinkOcean Society, I lead The Decade of Toolkits, a global initiative empowering young ocean activists with educational resources to address ocean-climate issues in their communities while also managing the general vision of the organisation. My journey in ocean activism began with art, so artivism is key in my approach, bridging knowledge and empathy to create a powerful bond with the ocean. Programs like the Intergenerational art exchange invite youth to explore marine ecosystems creatively, sparking connection through shared perspectives. In 2023 alone, I reached over 11,200 individuals through art and social media. At Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, I leverage artivism in communications, digital media, interactive workshops, and exhibits to amplify human-ocean bond.
2. Why do you think it is important to work towards this Challenge?
Working towards this challenge is important to me because I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of ocean degradation on both nature and communities. Growing up by the Arabian Sea in India, I formed a deep emotional connection to the ocean, it was where my love for the natural world began. But over time, I saw that love tested as plastic pollution replaced the shells I once collected. This stark shift opened my eyes to the urgent need for ocean protection. What truly struck me was that the same people who admired the ocean were the ones contributing to its decline. That contradiction was hard to ignore. And it led me to a simple but powerful realisation: “To love something is to protect it.” That thought became my compass.
I believe that when people feel connected to something, they are more likely to protect it. This awareness drove me to take action, first through art made from collected plastic, and then by taking a leap into learning about ocean issues. But throughout, I knew education alone wasn’t enough. We to move hearts, not just minds. That’s when I turned to storytelling and creative advocacy. The ocean gives us stories of resilience, transformation, and interdependence, and I learned to share them in ways that empowered others.
Because ultimately, when we feel connected to something, we are more likely to fight for it. And that’s what I believe this challenge is about: creating a world where people are not only aware of ocean degradation but emotionally invested in changing it
I have since dedicated myself to using storytelling and creative advocacy, be it through Generation Artivism, Bow Seat or ThinkOcean Society to foster that connection, especially among youth. This challenge isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s about safeguarding a life source that sustains us all. Working towards it is deeply personal, and I believe it’s one of the most pressing responsibilities of our time.
Ajay at Our Ocean in Greece (2024) representing India
It was here he met his Ocean hero – Dr Sylvia Earle.
3. What was the Ocean’s influence on you growing up, and what’s has changed for you since you’ve been working towards this Challenge?
Growing up, the ocean was my sanctuary. I lived right by the seaside, and my earliest memories are of savouring pani-puris by the beach and playing with the sand. Since learning about the Ocean Decade Challenge, my relationship with the ocean has transformed into a more purpose driven mission. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marine ecosystems and the urgent need for collective action. This awareness fuels my drive to empower others to recognise their role in ocean stewardship. Working towards Challenge 10 of the Decade has enriched my perspective, allowing me to translate my childhood wonder into impactful initiatives that inspire change, ensuring that future generations can experience the ocean’s magic just as I did.
4. What is unique about your perspective/motivation (culturally, geographically, personal connection etc)?
What’s unique about my motivation is that I didn’t just grow up near the ocean, I grew up with it. In Mumbai, the sea was my constant view. I spent my childhood collecting seashells, observing the tides, and watching fishing boats return at dawn. Over time, I saw the shoreline change, shells replaced by plastic, wonder replaced by worry. That shift felt deeply personal and compelled me to act. I began turning the plastic I found into art and using storytelling as a tool to spark awareness and empathy, especially among young people.
Culturally, my connection runs even deeper. I grew up witnessing rituals like Narali Purnima, where coastal communities offer coconuts to the sea in gratitude and reverence. These ancestral traditions, songs, and ceremonies reflect a deep respect for the ocean as a life-giving force. Seeing this reverence coexist with environmental degradation shaped my perspective. It drives me to advocate for the ocean through a lens that blends cultural memory, emotional connection, and creative activism, because I see the ocean not just as an ecosystem, but as something sacred and deeply human.
Ajay at Pangea Mangrove Initiative
High Seas Pledge Board
5. What is your profession in relation to the Ocean, and how many years have you been doing it?
As an ocean-climate communicator, I dedicate my expertise to weaving together narratives of the ocean and humanity. My work revolves around building and documenting human-ocean bond, illuminating the connections that tie us to our blue planet. For nearly half decade, I am deeply invested in ocean science, translating complex concepts into accessible, solutions-driven models that empower individuals and communities to engage with ocean conservation in a more feasible manner. Through storytelling, workshops, and interactive experiences, I help people recognise the importance of the ocean even if they don’t live right by it.
6. Tell us about some of your recent achievements/highlights/success or alternatively what are you struggling with, or what challenges/barriers are you facing?
In the past year, I’ve made some incredible connections within the ocean conservation community. Each conversation and interaction has helped me reach the 11,200 people I reached in 2023, a number that was exponentially higher compared to what I have reached over years of my work. It’s been rewarding to see how these relationships have built a strong network of individuals all committed to protecting our ocean. A highlight for me was being selected as an NAAEE 30 Under 30 honouree, which has further motivated me to amplify my efforts. However, I still face challenges along the way. Engaging a diverse audience and making sure our message resonates with everyone can be tough. I want to find ways to share my passion that truly connect with people from different backgrounds. As I navigate these challenges, my goal is to create an inclusive movement while ensuring that my team is compensated to the incredible work they do.
7. How can people support you and your work?
They can support my work towards ratification of High Seas agreement (BBNJ) by signing this petition and engaging with Generation Artivism.
I am always happy to connect through Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky or even my website.