The 1 OCEAN Foundation
©La Caz'A Productions
A major scientific exploration project at the service of the Ocean
1 OCEAN is an international scientific exploration project led by photographer Alexis Rosenfeld with UNESCO alongside the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) ('the Ocean Decade') .
Our objectives: to explore the ocean, to understand it through science (phenomena, ecosystems, species) and to amaze as many people as possible in order to help preserve the ocean.
"The future is in the hands of those who explore... and from all the beauty they discover as they cross ever more remote frontiers, they develop an infinite love for nature and for man."
Our values
Explore, Understand, Captivate
The three founding principles of the 1 OCEAN project answer an urgent need: that of highlighting the full extent of the wealth hidden beneath the surface, and thus raise awareness on the need to protect this exceptional common good. For Alexis Rosenfeld, leader of the project, 1 OCEAN is first and foremost a great testimony of the Ocean: "In view of our environmental concerns and the dangers threatening the Ocean, bearing witness is today a necessity. Our ambition is to redefine today's consciousness and, above all, to help build tomorrow's."Enchanting people and making them love the ocean will naturally guide us towards preservation."
UNDERSTAND
Scientific exploration is the starting point for a better understanding of the ocean. To develop effective conservation strategies, it is essential to better understand ecosystems, species, natural phenomena and man's impact on the marine environment. By putting our diving and audiovisual production skills at the service of science, we are contributing to this vital mission to protect the Ocean.
EXPLORE
At the dawn of the 21st century, developments in photography, cinema and diving equipment have given us the means to explore in new ways. These technical advances have enabled us to rediscover little-known sites, to take a fresh look at the ocean and to offer the general public a different vision of our planet.
WONDER
"We love what we marvel at, and we protect what we love." This phrase by Captain Cousteau describes, better than any other, the immense power of the emotional dimension. By recounting our missions through our most beautiful images, we hope to bring the general public closer to the Ocean and make them love it, to convince them to preserve it.
Content creation, a central element of the 1 OCEAN project
The 1 OCEAN project presents itself as a witness to the Ocean as it has made the creation and broadcast of audiovisual content one of its greatest strengths. The exploration missions are the subject of photographic production, documentary films, interviews, exhibitions and, above all, an adapted communications program (social networks, major media, etc.) to pass on knowledge of the Ocean to the greatest number.
Thanks to a team made of great audio-visual professionals but also of experienced divers, 1 OCEAN produces never-seen-before images. For Alexis Rosenfeld, underwater exploration is entering a new era: "Today, technological progress allows us to explore, for the first time, places hidden from the rest of the world. Technological developments in photography, cinema and diving equipment allow us to explore in a different way, to rediscover little-known sites and to offer a new vision of the ocean”.
Collaboration with world-renowned institutions
Since its creation, 1 OCEAN has supportedUNESCO 's values by playing an active role in scientific research and promoting knowledge of the ocean. Our exploration missions enable the general public to discover exceptional places, true treasures of biodiversity, many of which are classified as World Heritage Sites.
Our missions are also the result of a long-standing collaboration with CNRS scientific teams. We put our diving and audiovisual production skills at the service of researchers to help advance science. Recognized for its contribution to science, 1 OCEAN officially became the 1 OCEAN Foundation under the aegis of the CNRS Foundation in 2022. In June 2022, the 1 OCEAN Foundation launched its first scientific program: " L'arche de Noé des profondeurs, un avenir pour la biodiversité...".
The 1 OCEAN Foundation
The 1 OCEAN Foundation under the aegis of the CNRS Foundation was created in 2022 by Alexis Rosenfeld, John Jackson and Claire Monchauzou. Sheltered by the CNRS Foundation, it benefits from its advantages, particularly in the administrative and legal sectors, while keeping possession of its operational autonomy. More specifically, this status enables the 1 OCEAN Foundation to receive donations and legacies. The CNRS Foundation benefits from the same tax advantages as a foundation recognized as being in the public interest. It has also established links with TGE (Transnational Giving Europe) to enable European donors to benefit from tax reductions in their own countries.
To make a donation via TGE, follow this link and select the "1 OCEAN" project.
In the United States, the 1 OCEAN Fund has been set up to enable Americans to support the 1 OCEAN project while benefiting from tax breaks. For more information, please contact Kevin.
The Strategic Council
The 1 OCEAN Foundation has a Strategic Committee whose role is to give direction to the Foundation's actions. It is made up of the three founding members (John Jackson, Claire Monchauzou and Alexis Rosenfeld) and several personalities from the worlds of science, culture and the environment:
Matthieu Guevel
Director of Communication UNESCO
"Since the beginning of the 1 OCEAN adventure, UNESCO and the Foundation have been closely linked. This strategic council is an essential lever to ever strengthen the reflection and impact of exploration missions at the service of scientists for Ocean Conservation"
Michel Mortier
Research Director
Director General of the CNRS Foundation
"Alexis Rosenfeld's professional experience in scuba diving has led to several collaborations with CNRS teams, notably during deep dives in the Pacific and South Atlantic. The collection of photographs or short films captured during these dives feeds the researchers' databases and sometimes leads to the discovery of little-known biological systems. The CNRS Foundation is delighted with the creation of this new foundation under the aegis of the CNRS."
Serge Planes
Director of Research CNRS CRIOBE
"Joining the strategic board of the 1 OCEAN Foundation is a continuation of the work I've been doing with Alexis Rosenfeld over the years to make research and scientific discoveries more accessible to the general public and decision-makers."
Patricia Ricard
President of the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute
"Behind every project and every advance there are courageous and passionate men and women.
I think it's wonderful that the 1 Ocean Foundation has the ambition to highlight the commitment of those who have turned their beliefs into a collective awareness."
Philippe Vallette
Founder of Nausicaà, Oceanographer
"Exploring how marine life and its ecosystems are born or reborn with 21st century tools will lead to new scientific discoveries.
These innovative means will enable us to communicate like never before, to convince the public and decision-makers to protect the potential of the World Ocean to secure our future."
Team 1 OCEAN
The richness of our team lies in its cross-generational nature and the diversity of its profiles. Our aim is to ensure that transmission is at the heart of what we do.