Our Only World is a charity dedicated to conserving, protecting, and improving the physical and natural marine environment. Based in Cornwall, Tina, who created Our Only World, lives close to the sea and could see the damage being done to our oceans. Our Only World is Tina’s way of making a difference.
Projects include educating school children about the impact their actions can have on the oceans, such as littering and plastic pollution and installing water stations along the Cornwall coastline to encourage the use of reusable bottles and reduce the purchase of single-use plastic.
Funds from the Matthew Good Foundation will go towards the creation of a living harbour wall in Plymouth harbour.
Man-made structures around our harbours, such as pilings and seawalls, are built for many reasons such as protection, water-based economy, and recreation. Still, they do not support a biodiverse marine environment. Living walls have shown that we can introduce a way of enhancing the microenvironment by improving man-made sea walls to mimic rocky shore pools. The living wall provides a habitat for marine life, aiding biodiversity and attracting filter-feeding organisms that absorb and filter out pollutants, keeping the water clean.
The living sea wall will use eco-friendly materials from the China Clay industry that are 98% recycled, non-toxic, plastic-free and designed to support the circular economy.
“One thing that the pandemic has taught us is that when passionate people come together anything is possible. Small actions, like this project, when multiplied can make change and a positive difference to our oceans. Our Only World is a not for profit registered charity, we are all volunteers and hence our overheads are minimal. We are passionate about protecting our oceans for future generations. Every penny of your donation will go towards purchasing and securing the living wall on Plymouth Harbour. Thank you so much for your support.”
“This is a fantastic small, local project that could pave the way for more like it throughout the UK. Tina is so passionate about our oceans and has worked incredibly hard to set up partnerships with the University of Plymouth who, will monitor the project, and Arc Marine, who will create and supply the wall tiles using recycled materials. Research shows that after 1-2 years, living seawalls already support at least 36% more species than plain, unmodified seawalls. I’m confident that once this sea is created, our Only World will secure further funding to expand the project in the future.”
Latest Project Updates
November 2023
Living Sea Wall completed in Falmouth
Grants awarded to Our Only World by The Matthew Good Foundation and Sea-changers have been used to complete the installation of a living sea wall in Falmouth, Cornwall. The charity now hopes to install more of these innovative designs in harbours around the UK.
April 2022
Granted £2,500
After becoming one of the top five finalists in the latest Grants for Good Round, £2,500 was granted.