Making Waves Before the Mic: Meet Reyansh Ambani, the Teen Voice for Coral Reefs

At just 14 years old, Reyansh Ambani is preparing to take the stage at an upcoming TEDx-style conference — and he’s bringing the ocean with him.

When Reyansh speaks, the audience won’t simply hear about coral reefs; they’ll feel them. His talk, “The Silent Collapse Beneath the Waves,” explores the fragile beauty and urgent decline of these underwater cities. The anticipation around his speech is already generating buzz among educators, marine scientists, and climate-conscious students alike — and for good reason.

A ninth-grader with a remarkably diverse résumé, Reyansh is far more than a passionate speaker — he’s a diver, a doer, and a dedicated advocate for ocean life. Certified in open-water diving, he has experienced coral ecosystems firsthand. “The first time I dove, it felt like entering a living galaxy,” he recalls. “But that world is vanishing faster than we realize.”

In his speech, Reyansh will explore not only the wonder of coral reefs but also the serious threats they face, from ocean warming and pollution to plastic waste. “We treat the ocean like a trash bin,” he says, “and the reefs are paying the price.”

And this message couldn’t be more timely. In early 2025, NOAA and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority confirmed the reef’s most devastating mass bleaching event on record, with over 60% of its coral severely damaged. “It’s not theoretical anymore,” says Reyansh. “It’s happening now — and it’s a global emergency.”

Yet Reyansh’s talk will do more than highlight the problem — it will offer solutions. From coral gardening to cloud brightening, he’ll introduce simple, science-backed actions that students, scientists, and citizens can take to make a difference. Audience members will leave equipped with three practical ways to support ocean health — proof that everyone can help protect our reefs.

Beyond his ocean advocacy, Reyansh’s leadership and drive shine across many other fields. He has represented his school at OIS MUN and IYC, achieved a top-10 national ranking in multiple Olympiads, and earned the Gold Scholar Award twice for his stellar performance in the Science ASSET exam.

A WhiteHat-certified developer, green belt in Taekwondo, and participant in advanced programs at Northwestern and Plaksha University, Reyansh is as comfortable coding as he is scuba diving. His recent experience at the Harvard Model Congress Student Forum further cemented his commitment to real-world problem-solving and global citizenship.

But among all his accomplishments, it’s the ocean that holds his heart. “The reefs have no voice,” he says. “I want to be one.”

With this upcoming TEDx-style talk, Reyansh Ambani isn’t just sharing a story — he’s making a promise: to speak for the sea, inspire action, and fight for the living cities beneath the waves.

And as the world’s oceans face an uncertain future, it’s clear that we need more passionate young leaders like him — stepping up, speaking out, and making waves for change.