At the Samuel Lawrence Foundation, we’ve seen the power of combining science, education, and the arts to inspire action and drive change. Whether empowering students, amplifying artists, or engaging experts, our collective efforts are building a safer, more sustainable future.

The science is clear, no amount of radioactivity is safe. This month, we highlight the investigative reporting of the Orange County Registrar and call out for action, additionally, we bask in the positive of change for the better in our First Fridays Sustainability Solutions for the Future.

Our Third Thursday newsletter and other electronic mailings keep readers informed on our advocacy to strengthen public policy on nuclear waste storage. We also shine spotlights on our initiatives and great collaborators in science, education and the arts.

"We stand in gratitude towards women as we conclude Women’s History Month and prepare to enter two more months that celebrate and honor women..."

Indigenous communities have long taught the value of living in harmony with the land and fostering a deep respect for the natural world. As we gather around our tables, let us honor these traditions by embracing gratitude—not just for what we receive, but for the opportunity to preserve and give back to these cultural legacies.

Confronting the Crisis: "Hope is not a plan..."

Last month, over 150 people gathered at UCSD for a chilling reality: 3.6 million pounds of deadly radioactive waste are still precariously stored in aging metal canisters, just 100 feet from rising seas, in an area notorious for its seismic instability.

This month, we spotlight our commitment to raising awareness about the often-overlooked issue of nuclear waste management. With the haunting legacy of sites like the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, where 3.6 million pounds of nuclear waste pose a critical threat to both environmental and public health, our advocacy efforts have never been more urgent.

"If you view diversity as a mere “nice to have,” you're approaching it incorrectly. A company with a diverse boardroom draws from a multitude of lived experiences and perspectives. A school with a diverse student body engages in more informative and enriching classroom dialogues. When addressing global challenges like the nuclear waste crisis and climate change, it is imperative to include diverse voices in the search for solutions...."

Education has the power to transform lives, particularly for the privileged, yet 20% of the world still lacks access. The visionary innovators below are working tirelessly to close this gap and foster global educational equity.

Next week, the Samuel Lawrence Foundation will host a free symposium at the University of San Diego titled "Radioactive Waste: Growing Threats, Emerging Solutions." The event will assess the increasing dangers of radioactive waste, particularly at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and other coastal areas, in light of recent federal policy changes. Experts will also explore emerging solutions, including a new initiative to develop a safer storage plan for California that could serve as a national model.

Earth Day provides an opportunity to contemplate our relationship with the Earth. We remind ourselves how we would like to treat our favorite planet.

"The coming year will be one of the most important in recent memory. As we step into 2024, our world continues to face a complex polycrisis of the environment, a pandemic, global conflict, and mass migration..."