August 15, 2024

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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.

Discussions were sobering, underscoring an urgent need for a comprehensive national policy on nuclear waste management. With millions of people living within 50 miles of San Onofre, this is not just a local issue—it's a national crisis that demands immediate attention.

While the symposium has concluded, the work is far from over. We remain committed to safer solutions. There is danger in considering nuclear power as "clean" energy. Together, we can push for change before it's too late.

Bart Ziegler, PhD

President, Samuel Lawrence Foundation

Radioactive Waste Symposium at UCSD

Makes California Headlines

The Samuel Lawrence Foundation hosted an unprecedented Radioactive Waste Symposium at UC San Diego this July, gathering scientists, leaders, citizens and policymakers to move science to practice and bring urgency to 3.6 million pounds of deadly nuclear waste stored in metal on San Onofre State Beach. The Symposium was introduced by Director of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Dr. Margaret Leinen.

The San Diego Union Tribune featured an article titled, "Should California’s Legislature jump into the debate about nuclear waste at San Onofre?” on the front page of the Business Section the following day. The article highlighted Vice Mayor of Irvine Larry Agran’s announcement of new State of California legislation to research safe storage and maintenance of Radioactive Waste. 

At the symposium, Agran cited concerns about earthquakes, tsunamis, rising sea levels, and even terrorism, as he advocated for lawmakers to introduce the CalSafe Nuclear Waste Storage Plan Act. This would require formal inspection of this waste, including repackaging if necessary and placement in a fortified storage facility. Together, Admiral Len Hering, Vice Mayor Agran, and Dr. Gregory Jaczko, Former Chair of The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, shared expertise and fielded audience questions.

Agran emphasized, “We need a political response, which is not only the introduction of this legislation… I can’t imagine a better issue for a candidate for governor from Southern California to make the number one priority issue."

Waves now crash against the breakwater as climate change and rising seas progressively impacts the shoreline and dramatically raises the water’s reach. Currently, the spent fuel is stored in stainless steel canisters that are only five eighths of an inch procured by So. Cal. Edison from contractor Holtec International. Admiral Len Herring cited numerous violations by Holtec in San Onofre, imploring action to address the insufficient, thin-walled canister, some of which are nearing the end of their 25-year warranty.

KPBS also featured our event with a headline: "State and Local Leaders Continue to Call for Federal Action to Relocate Nuclear Waste from San Onofre." This coverage highlights the ongoing efforts and discussions sparked by our Symposium. You can watch the full report on the KPBS website or catch it on YouTube here.

Superpowers of the Arts

The beauty, precision, and craftsmanship of works of art — whether visual arts, like painting and sculptures, or performing arts, such as music and dance — offer audiences entertainment that soars, and that touches the heart, triggering a range of human emotions.

Watch the August episode of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s “First Fridays” series to see five exceptional thinkers, whose connection to the arts is meaningful and purpose driven. They will help articulate to those watching how arts can give us insights into our society — and even help unlock the mysteries about ourselves that we struggle to understand.

“We cure the soul of the people who are watching us.” — Elisa Carrillo Cabrera, Ballerina; co-director, Mexican National Dance Company; principal dancer, the Berlin State Ballet

“We all share in this planet. So it's an opportunity for us to see how connected we are, and also to really learn to appreciate the importance of humanity and connection. So when you see musicians from all over the world performing together, it just reminds you that we have the ability to create the future we want — but we need everybody.” — Mark Johnson, Founder, “Playing for Change”; GRAMMY-winning producer and director

“Contemporary artists are today's history painters, right? What artists can do is take content that we might know in a political or in a journalistic way, and translate it into the materials of art, so that maybe we are more open to it. It's a new language.” — Kathryn Kanjo, David C. Copley Director and CEO at Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego

“Art at its most basic level is really about the power of narrative and the power of ideas and the power of narrative to tell one's truth, to tell one story, to speak that truth to power in whatever medium it may occur.”— Kamaal Martin, Founder, Art Power Equity

“Art really reflects in the community, especially when artists are passionate about their communities. When things happen in the communities, when there was the George Floyd situation, murals were popping up all over the country about the expression of what was going on in the communities. Art is the barometer. It's the barometer that tells you what's happening.” — Hubert Massey, Fresco artist, large-scale installations, Detroit

September First Fridays Webinar Will Host Ugandan Climate Activist Vanessa Nakate

SLF is thrilled to host Vanessa Nakate on our September 6th Webinar. Nakate's book, "A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis," shares her story as a grassroots and global climate leader, highlights disparities in the climate movement, and challenges the world to embrace resilience, sustainability, and genuine equity.

Recognizing the Unwavering Support of Our Community Champions

With special thanks to our hundreds of grassroots donors, dedicated volunteers—including local high school students—passionate supporters, friends, and board members.

The Samuel Lawrence Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers who made our recent Nuclear Waste Symposium a success.

Special thanks go to Tatiana Dorrestein, Sawyer Landry, Diane Edmonds, Taylor Firmstone, Kathryn Irene Brinton, Nydia Grubbs, Kyla Whitelock, Carrie Margaret, and Mikaela Ellen. Your dedication and hard work were instrumental in bringing this event to life, and we couldn't have done it without you.

RSVP To Join Us For Lunch

Learning Equality is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization enabling equitable educational opportunities around the globe. It was founded 11 years ago by UC San Diego students, and has now reached over 10 million learners around the world, ensuring that everyone, even those with no Internet access, can benefit from technology-enhanced education. Their work includes supporting refugee children in Uganda with learning foundational literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills, and developing cutting-edge AI technologies to support inclusive and accessible learning for the most marginalized.

This is why the Samuel Lawrence Foundation is hosting a summer luncheon in support of Learning Equality on August 25, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Join us for an afternoon of music, mingling, and delicious food in Solana Beach.

If you'd like to attend and support their efforts to bridge the educational gap for underserved children and youth globally, please join us. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Aug 18 for yourself and any passionate educators.

Sign The Petition + Write Your Representative

Click HERE to email your local representatives to express your concerns and advocate for policies that safeguard our communities and environment.

Sign the petition linked HERE to support the monitoring and move of the toxic nuclear waste to a safer location.

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Together, let’s create a larger impact and drive meaningful change. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making a difference!

Like these topics? Check out our "First Fridays" Series on YouTube or Spotify, where we bring together leading experts to discuss climate change, nuclear safety, environmental issues, energy solutions, and public health and wellness.

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