Waves of Impact: the Only One Story
By Matthew David Kaplan & Sneha Devaraj
Photos by Jay Clue
July 2024
In the maiden voyage of our storytelling odyssey, there is no better place to begin than by diving into the work of Only One, a global ocean nonprofit whose vision is to restore ocean health and tackle the climate crisis within our generation. As Only One’s Lead Ambassador (Matthew) and member of Only One’s The Splash (Sneha), we are proud to bring you into our world. Looking for an immediate action to help our ocean? Join The Splash today, a community of social media activists that support the work Only One is doing.
Only One is on a mission to turn the world bluer and greener. Only One is a nonprofit platform that partners with nations and organizations to educate, inspire, and instill change. In simpler terms (as explained to an 8-year-old cousin), It comprises a global tribe of passionate folks working together to restore our ocean and ultimately the planet towards ecological balance.
Only One operates as a U.S. nonprofit, and its approach is as multifaceted as the ecosystems it aims to protect. The platform mobilizes millions to participate in global campaigns, fund impactful projects focused on ocean and climate solutions, and tell compelling stories that generate a spark for change. Every action, every donation, every shared story ripples across the globe and makes a tangible impact. Only One works together with changemakers, strategists, policymakers, and other non-profits to bring the spotlight on environmental stories that require the public’s attention. This multi-pronged approach enables it to drive political, policy, and international change, by shifting the public voice. Digital storytelling is a core strategy which drives Only One. In tandem with its ambassadors and ever-growing community, sweeping change happens one vote at a time and one voice at a time.
“Leveraging the infrastructure and community behind Only One allows us to inspire more humans to fall in love with the ocean while providing them an easy way to get involved in programs directly working to protect this incredible blue planet we call home.”
— Jay Clue, Only One Ambassador
In its relatively short history, Only One has already made significant achievements for the world. It has driven action to fully protect more than 170 square kilometers of the ocean while restoring 1.6 million mangrove trees, planting more than 20,000 climate resilient coral fragments and bringing about legal protections for 56 shark species. Check out Only One’s Impact Report to learn more.
Protecting the ocean: driving forward the global 30x30 campaign
In October 2022, more than 100 nations agreed to a global initiative to protect 30% of the world’s oceans (and land) by 2030 from the adversities of industrial fishing, deep sea trawling, and mining. This historic agreement at the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP15) marks only the beginning of the real work. Now, each country is required to make an official commitment to the pledge at its national level.
Only One is focused on making this vision a reality. Having set up country-based campaigns across three major countries in 2023 (United States, France, and Ireland), the plan of action for 2024 is direct in-field work to help achieve four overarching goals:
Protection of 30% of the seas, targeting a goal of at least 15,000 square kilometers of protected marine land across 10 countries.
A ban on bottom trawling and mining in protected areas.
Securing international waters that fall outside of national jurisdictions.
Inclusion of native individuals to contribute to the security of their waters.
Sign this petition today and demand that world leaders take action to protect 30% of our ocean by 2030.
"I'm so proud that Only One is making conservation accessible to everyone. Anyone can make a change, Only One is just making it easier. We're seeing more and more people not only care about ocean issues but actually take action and witness the power that their voices hold."
— Jeremiah Kittredge, Only One co-founder and CEO
Action: Community precedes impact
Among many other initiatives, Only One is currently rallying support to stop the cruel whale and dolphin hunts in the Faroe Islands, amplify the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, and protect Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. From Goa to Kenya, Bali to Cambodia, Only One has led projects around the world. By partnering with organizations such as CleanHub, which works towards preventing plastic waste from reaching the ocean, and Coral Gardeners, ocean warriors on a mission to bring back resilient coral ecosystems, Only One makes the message loud and clear: community precedes impact.
As an example of Only One’s global impact, let’s highlight its project to revitalize the reefs of Indonesia. In synergy with Blue Corner Marine Research, Only One's members are actively contributing to improve the coral reef infrastructure through this project. This initiative involves planting 30,000 corals along the shores of Nusa Penida, Indonesia. Blue Corner Marine Research meticulously maps and restores reefs using modular metal scaffolding and coral nurseries. Situated in the Coral Triangle, the project safeguards more than 580 coral species and endangered marine animals. In addition to marine conservation, the project promotes community development by supporting local industries and conducting educational workshops.
“As a biologist and traveler, I see how much nature is connected worldwide without borders. Just as dust from the Sahara helps feed the Amazon rainforest, the ocean is also in constant contact with other ecosystems in the world. Being Only One's Ambassador is a symbol of connectivity and how powerful it is when we all come together for one purpose!”
— Maysa Santoro, biologist, photographer, and Only One Ambassador
We joined the Only One team not only because we are passionate about the work Only One does, but equally important, the way in which Only One achieves its goal. Only One’s ethos to impact change is built upon the foundation of bringing people together to create a collective force for good. We have only one ocean, and it is up to all of us to protect it and restore it to the way it has been for millions of years before the appearance of its biggest threat… humans. It is our responsibility to reverse the damage we humans have caused and we ask you to join us.
Become a member of Only One today!
