Upwell – Details, episodes & analysis

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 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.