Ending plastic pollution and fighting for environmental justice

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.