Upwell

In this special episode to close out Season 3 of Upwell, we sit down with two members of the Only One team, Hannah Fine and Maïssa Rababy, to reflect on our campaigns over the past year and upcoming initiatives for next year. In the conversation, we dive into our work to advance ocean protection, stop plastics and pollution, and scale ocean-based climate solutions.

In this episode of Upwell, we speak with Sea Briganti, the founder and CEO of LOLIWARE, an award-winning materials technology company creating seaweed-based alternatives to single-use plastics. In the conversation, we explore the technology behind seaweed-based straw and resin production, discuss how seaweed aquaculture can combat the petrochemical industry, and consider what lies ahead for the sustainable materials market as we move toward a plastic-free future.

In this episode of Upwell, we speak with David Grossman, the founder and CEO of PanaSea, an aquaculture company based in Panama that established the first open-ocean sea cucumber hatchery in the Americas. In the conversation, we consider the impact of sea cucumbers on marine ecosystems and their key role in ocean conservation, the rapidly scaling aquaculture sector and blue economy, and the importance of community-based approaches to sustainable commerce.

In this episode of Upwell, we speak with Daniel Hettwer, the founder and CEO of Hidden Worlds Entertainment, a company that merges art, entertainment, and conservation into immersive exhibits and dining experiences. In the conversation, we explore the concept of "impactainment" and examine the intersection of marine conservation with storytelling, technology, and the psychology of shared experiences and lasting engagement.

In this special episode of Upwell hosted by Hannah Fine, Only One's Senior Director of Campaigns, we speak with Judith Enck. She's the founder and president of Beyond Plastics, an extraordinary organization at the forefront of the global movement to end plastic pollution. In the conversation, we dive into environmental justice and the plastic pollution crisis, exploring the toxicity of plastic production, the wasteful packaging landscape, and what people can do to protect the environment and join the fight against plastics.

In this episode of Upwell, we speak with Julia Marsh, CEO and cofounder of Sway, an award-winning startup that creates seaweed-based, home-compostable packaging as a sustainable alternative to plastics. In the conversation, we discuss regenerative design and examine the plastic packaging landscape, seaweed farming, sustainable supply chains, and the concept of biological circularity.

In this episode of Upwell, we speak with renowned conservationist Kristine Tompkins, president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, an organization that has created millions of acres of national parks and protected countless species throughout South America. In the conversation, we discuss the process and future of conservation, delve into what it means to "rewild" nature, and explore the importance of cross-sector climate action and community-driven conservation.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Pat Schnettler, Cofounder of 12 Tides, a company that makes climate-positive kelp chips — a healthy seaweed snack for both people and the planet. In the conversation, we discuss sustainable aquaculture, regenerative farming, and the circular economy, diving into the future of the blossoming kelp industry and the benefits of ocean-friendly food systems.

In this special episode of Upwell, we chat with Ambassador Carlos Fuller, Permanent Representative of Belize to the United Nations and Vice President of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In the conversation, we discuss the impacts of the climate crisis in Belize and across the Caribbean — from rising sea temperatures bleaching coral reefs and devastating fisheries, to coastal erosion forcing the displacement of coastal communities — and address the urgent need to implement the Loss and Damage Fund. You can sign Only One's petition to support the Loss and Damage Fund here, and listen to more from Ambassador Fuller in Shores in Peril | Coastal erosion in Belize, our new short film in The Frontline series, showcasing voices from the frontlines of the climate crisis.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Leah Glass, technical advisor at Blue Ventures, an organization that supports coastal communities to rebuild fisheries and restore ocean life. In the conversation, we dive into the world of community-led conservation and blue carbon restoration in Madagascar and around the world, discussing the complementary relationship between local knowledge and satellite monitoring tools, the sustainability of small-scale fisheries, and how to finance and advance nature-based solutions at scale.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Katie Hoffman, partner at Regeneration.VC, an early-stage venture fund that invests in climate technology and innovation. In the conversation, we explore the climate investment landscape and the circular economy, discussing how entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators can mitigate ocean risks and support and scale climate start-ups.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Tituoan Bernicot, the founder and CEO of Coral Gardeners, an organization restoring reefs in French Polynesia and around the world. In the conversation, we discuss the threats of climate change to coral reefs and marine biodiversity, how technology and communities can come together to restore ecosystems, and the importance of storytelling and education in addressing ocean conservation and the climate crisis.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Jeremiah Kittredge, the chief executive officer of Only One, about the original vision for Only One and how we have worked with partners around the world over the past two years to advance ocean conservation. In the conversation, we discuss how technology and data can scale impact, the role of content in driving awareness and action, and plans for Only One this coming year. You can find Only One on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and our website.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Michelle Tigchelaar, a research scientist at Stanford University’s Center for Ocean Solutions and an expert on the impact of climate change on blue foods. During the conversation, we discuss the scope and scale of the ocean as a source of sustenance and livelihoods, how climate change is impacting fisheries and aquaculture, which countries and communities are most at risk, and actions policymakers and people can take to address the risk and impact. You can find Michelle on Twitter and the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions on Twitter and their website.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Nik Mittal, the managing partner of Molecule Ventures, about the dynamics of carbon markets and how they are helping to transition the world to a net zero future. In the conversation, we compare carbon markets across the United States and in Europe, how national legislation and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will advance climate investments, and how innovations in technology and fuel sources are reducing carbon emissions. You can find Nik on LinkedIn and Molecule Ventures on their website.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Joel Tasche, the founder and CEO of CleanHub, which is an Only One impact partner and an innovative organization working to combat plastic waste in communities across Southeast Asia. In the conversation, we discuss how Joel started the organization, how CleanHub turns non-recyclable materials into energy, and the team's innovative use of data and technology to scale their work with partners. You can find CleanHub on their website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

This week, we have a special episode featuring a segment from a new podcast series we produced over the past several months with the incredible team at Lemonada Media. Hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist Gloria Riviera, the new four-part series called Discarded explores the devastating impact of petrochemicals and plastic production on communities in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The small community of 20,000 is located in the heart of Cancer Alley, an 85 mile stretch up and down the Mississippi River where the rate of cancer is as much as 50 times the national average. Many of us have seen the terrible toll plastic wreaks at the end of its life, with only 9% of plastics actually being recycled, 12% incinerated, and the rest ending up in landfills or the ocean. In fact, a garbage truck worth of plastics enters the ocean every minute — a rate that could triple by 2040. This waste in turn ends up on our beaches, in our food supply, and even in our bodies. What we sometimes fail to grasp is that even at the beginning of its life cycle, the process of producing plastics has a devastating impact on the health of communities living right outside of petrochemical facilities. You can find Discarded and explore actions you can take to address plastics and petrochemicals in our resource guide available at https://only.one/discarded

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Lindsay Crowder of Exposure Labs who reflects on the role of media in informing and inspiring audiences and how to translate that awareness into action. We also discuss how Exposure Labs uses media to advance impact and support the next generation of storytellers through Climate Story Labs in the U.S. South.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Tessa Callaghan, who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Keel Labs, which produces sustainable textiles that harness the power of the oceans. Tessa shares what inspired her to launch Keel Labs, the environmental benefits of using seaweed in textile, the process for making the company’s yarns, and her vision for the future of the company. You can find Tessa on LinkedIn, and you can learn more about Keel Labs on their website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Nichola Clark, an officer from the Pew Charitable Trusts and an expert in protecting ocean life on the High Seas. In the conversation, we discuss background on the high seas, current threats facing these areas beyond national jurisdiction, and pathways towards protection. We also dive into the dynamics of the high seas treaty currently being debated by national delegations, including key components of the treaty text, challenges standing in the way of reaching full agreement, and the steps forward should a treaty be secured.