Upwell (Only One)

In this first episode of Upwell, we chat with Daniela Fernandez, the founder and CEO of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, who is activating the next generation of ocean champions to restore the health of the ocean.

During the interview, we discuss the mission of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, how the organization is supporting environmental entrepreneurs and youth leaders through training, funding, and additional resources, the global campaign to stop deep sea mining, the need for action at COP27, and advice for young leaders working to tackle the climate crisis.

You can find Daniela on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And you can learn more about Sustainable Ocean Alliance on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

And for this week’s action, join Sustainable Ocean Alliance, The Oxygen Project, the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, and Only One in the campaign to stop deep-sea mining.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Sam Teicher, the founder and Chief Reef Officer of Coral Vita and the winner of the Earthshot Prize.

In the interview, we discuss the state of coral reefs today and the critical importance they play for ocean health, how Coral Vita is working with a wide variety of stakeholders to scale restoration of reefs, and what support is needed to support a thriving ecosystem of environmental entrepreneurs.

You can find Sam on Twitter, and you can learn more about Coral Vita on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

For this week’s action, help support the work to restore reefs by adopting a coral with Coral Vita. 

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Zoe Croft, the director of sales at Atlantic Sea Farms, whose team is helping fishermen in Maine grow seaweed to diversify their incomes as climate change and warming waters present challenges to the state’s lobster industry.

Zoe shares how the gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of all other bodies of water on the planet, how her team at Atlantic Sea Farms is working with 27 partner farmers to grow nearly one million pounds of kelp, and how growing that seaweed has a positive impact on the surrounding marine ecosystem.

You can find Zoe on LinkedIn, and you can learn more about Atlantic Sea Farms on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Shawn Heinrichs, a photographer, conservationist, Emmy-winning cinematographer, and cofounder of Only One.

In the conversation, Shawn talks about what has driven his own passion of the ocean, his favorite moments in the water, how storytelling can advance critical conservation work, and the global campaign to protect requiem sharks.

You can find Shawn on Instagram and Facebook.  For this week’s action, join the campaign to protect requiem sharks at CITES. 

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Claire Christian, the executive director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, who is leading the charge for marine protection in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.

In the conversation, we discussed the range of fascinating Antarctic ecosystems, how changes in and around the continent will impact the entire ocean and planet, and the global campaign to secure three new marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, which collectively, would represent the largest act of ocean protection in history.

You can find the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on their website.

For this week’s action, join the campaign to protect Antarctica and deliver the largest act of ocean protection in history.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Nick Nuttall, co-presenter and director at We Don't Have Time and the former head of communications at the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Nick is a global leader in climate communications and media who is working to elevate the dialogue to drive global action to address climate change.

In the conversation, we discuss announcements made at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, how the global climate convenings have evolved over the years, opportunities and financing needed to accelerate progress towards reaching climate goals, and how to accelerate awareness and action.

You can find Nick on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. You can learn more about We Don’t Have Time on their website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. 

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Ian Urbina, founder and director of The Outlaw Ocean Project, author of The Outlaw Ocean, host of The Outlaw Ocean Podcast, and a long-time investigative reporter covering stories about human rights, environment and labor concerns at sea.

In the conversation, we discuss lawlessness at sea, the “maritime merry-go-round” that makes it hard to effectively prosecute crimes committed in the ocean, how overfishing is depleting the fish stocks of a small African country, and the investment of time and resources that goes into deep, investigative reporting.

You can find Ian on Twitter and Instagram, and learn more about The Outlaw Ocean Project on their website, YouTube, and their new podcast. 

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about the mission of The Outlaw Ocean Project
• Listen to the new Outlaw Ocean Podcast
• Ian’s investigative series The Outlaw Ocean for The New York Times
• Ian’s New Yorker article on the negative effects of fishmeal production in Gambia

In this episode, we chat with Sam Bencheghib, co-founder of Make A Change World and Sungai Watch, and an impact partner of Only One who is helping to combat plastic waste in Indonesia.

Sam discusses how he ran across the United States to build awareness about the issue, the challenge with plastic waste in Bali, the innovative use of river barriers to stop plastics before they enter the ocean, how Sungai Watch is using data to track polluters, and how the team is engaging local communities in the effort.

You can find Sam on Instagram, and you can learn more about Sungai Watch on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

For this week’s action, become a member of Only One, where for as little as $9 per month, you can removing plastic from the ocean. 100% of your donation supports the work of Only One impact partners, including Sungai Watch. Sign up at www.only.one

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Justine Lucas, the executive director of the Clara Lionel Foundation, which was founded by Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty to advance climate justice and resilience in the United States and the Caribbean.

In the conversation, we discuss the organization’s work to invest in core infrastructure, such as schools, health clinics, and information systems, to help communities be more resilient in the face of natural disasters, and the disproportionate impact of climate change on small island states and communities of color.

You can find Justine on LinkedIn and the Clara Lionel Foundation on their website, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Ami Vitale, a National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, writer, speaker, and founder of Vital Impacts.

In the conversation, Ami shares some of the stories and interactions she has experienced over the years and how those moments have informed her conviction that we are all fundamentally interconnected – with each other and with nature. She also shares her evolution in focus, from areas of conflict to communities of cooperation, and some of the consistent threads she has seen in this coverage.

You can find Ami on Instagram, Twitter, and her website, and you can find the Vital Impacts Winter Collection on their website.

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.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Matthieu Rytz, the director and producer of Deep Rising, a new documentary that is premiering this year at Sundance that explores the fate of the deep ocean as a small set of regulators and companies open it up to exploration for rare metals. 

In the conversation, we discuss what’s fueling the global race for nodules at the bottom of the ocean, the impact mining may have on vital marine ecosystems, how The Metals Company secured the licenses for this exploration, and the responsibility of the International Seabed Authority to govern this territory. 

You can find Matthieu on his website, and learn more about Deep Rising here.

In this episode of Upwell, we chat with Angelique Pouponneau, the policy advisor to the chair of the Alliance of Small Island States and the former CEO of the Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust.

We discuss the disproportionate impact of climate change on small island states, how these nations are addressing climate adaptation and resilience, global models for funding this vital work, and the critical components of a vibrant blue economy.

You can find Angelique on Twitter and the Alliance of Small Island States on Twitter, Instagram, and their website.

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.