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 su...

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 impor...

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...

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 p...

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 explo...

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...

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 satellit...

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 ad...

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 t...

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 ar...

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 ho...

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 techno...

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 comm...

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 Linke...

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 natio...

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...

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 mi...

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...

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 communiti...

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...