Dhruv Bhatt: A Young Voice Bridging the Himalayas and the Ocean

April 9, 2025

By Tana Valmond, Bow Seat Alumni Advisor & 2024 Future Blue Youth Council member

The Alumni Spotlight Series is a celebration of Bow Seat’s alumni as they continue to make waves in the world. This series aims to highlight their journeys, showcase their creative and environmental work, and inspire our Bow Seat community with stories of impact and growth. Readers can expect monthly insightful interviews, personal reflections, and updates on how these young changemakers are using art, advocacy, and innovation to shape a more sustainable future. 

At just 19, Dhruv Bhatt from Uttarakhand, India, has already carved out his footing in the global environmental movement. Dhruv has dedicated himself to championing children’s rights, LGBTQI+ advocacy, and widespread environmental activism. His work with Bow Seat’s Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC) has positioned him as a valuable voice in conversations focused on climate justice, ocean conservation, and youth leadership.

The Activist With Eight Arms

If Dhruv were a sea creature, he would be an octopus. This is simply because he thrives on balancing multiple initiatives at once, all while fostering his love for his hobbies and tackling the challenges of daily life. Much like the intelligent and adaptable octopus, he moves seamlessly between projects, using his many “arms” to tackle environmental issues.

A Bow Seat Beginning

Dhruv’s journey with Bow Seat began through poetry. His piece on water insecurity in India, Cracked, earned an award in the 2021 Ocean Awareness Contest, opening the door for greater involvement. From there, he became a 2023 FBYC member and took on leadership roles as FBYC Advisor and a Contest judge in the creative writing category.

During his time with the FBYC, Dhruv mentored three impactful Fellowship projects:

• Bye Bye Plastic Bags (Florida), which expanded cleanup efforts in India and Indonesia
• Let’s Talk About Menstruation (Nepal), a campaign addressing both menstrual rights and environmental awareness
• Team Upcyclers (Nigeria), a project that transformed textile waste into reusable menstrual pads

Currently, he is the FBYC Advisor, where he supports new council members. In this role, he creates educational toolkits and leads alumni panels to ensure Bow Seat’s youth-driven mission continues to progress smoothly.

A Transformative Experience

For Dhruv, Bow Seat became more than just an organization, it was a turning point. Through his experiences, he developed crucial skills like coordinating important virtual meetings across time zones, managing diverse groups, and leading youth initiatives. But just as importantly, he found a community of like-minded changemakers who believe in the power of young people to protect our planet. His passion lives on, fueled by his vision and the many inspirational figures he has met along the way.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Looking back, Dhruv wouldn’t change much about his time with the FBYC, except for one thing: learning to silence his self-doubt. Like many young activists stepping into leadership roles, he often questioned whether his efforts truly mattered. That menacing voice always seemed to peek through, leaving him insecure about whether he could truly influence change. However, engaging with Bow Seat helped him recognize his value and the unique insights he brings to the global climate movement.

Beyond Bow Seat

His work with Bow Seat has opened doors to opportunities all over the world. Dhruv has since contributed to the UNEP Faith for Earth Council and the CYAC for the World Congress on Justice 2025. His understanding of the deep connections between ocean health and climate change continues to grow, making his approach to tackling issues in his local Himalayan community more successful. This year, he is launching his first long-term school-based campaign to combat plastic pollution in bodies of water, hence bridging the gap between inland communities and ocean conservation.

Advice for Young Ocean Advocates

Dhruv emphasizes three key things: networking, learning, and creating. Engaging with scientists, artists, and activists can spark new ideas and build meaningful collaborations for present or future endeavors. Being knowledgeable of how a flourishing ocean directly impacts local communities is crucial. And above all, he encourages young advocates to embrace creative activism. For him, poetry is both a form of self-expression and a tool to fight for environmental justice. Much like Bow Seat, he believes strongly that art has the power to inspire change. In today’s world, it is important to share our climate change stories, a piece of writing or painting can hold great power.

The Future Is Now

At just 19 years of age, Dhruv Bhatt is proving that youth voices are not just important, but an undeniable force. Whether through activism, mentorship, or creative storytelling, Dhruv embodies the idea that real change doesn’t come from waiting for the right moment. It comes from stepping up and making it happen, so MAKE IT HAPPEN.