San Onofre’s 3.6 million pounds of radioactive waste aren’t just a local hazard, they’re a case study in systemic risk. The thin steel canisters holding it are corroding, exposed to earthquakes, and tsunamis, while federal policy offers no long-term solution.

Last month, Surfer Magazine featured SLF as a source in their story exposing the shocking decision to host the LA28 Olympic surfing event at Lower Trestles, just steps from 3.6 million pounds of highly radioactive waste at San Onofre.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted Southern California Edison (SCE) sweeping exemptions from emergency planning and safety requirements, putting millions of lives at risk. These alarming exemptions—despite strong objections from state officials—leave the public dangerously unprotected in the event of a nuclear emergency.

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.

Yesterday, the NRC held a public meeting to consider weakening federal radiation safety standards, following the May executive order that directs the agency to abandon long-standing protections like the Linear No-Threshold and ALARA models. Experts warned this would raise cancer risks and reduce cleanup obligations at nuclear sites.

California’s nearly 50-year legacy of nuclear safety is under direct threat. California’s Nuclear Safeguards Act of 1976 has protected the state for nearly half a century by prohibiting new nuclear reactors until a permanent solution for radioactive waste is in place. AB 305 would dismantle this critical safeguard, opening the door to small modular reactors (SMRs) without addressing the ongoing waste crisis.

While the world around us may feel uneasy, there is one thing I know for sure: the power of community, compassion, and action can guide us through even the darkest times. Our hearts are heavy as we reflect on the devastation caused by the fires in Los Angeles, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. In times of hardship, we are reminded that even in the face of adversity, hope and resilience have the power to rebuild.

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.

On June 18, the Supreme Court granted private companies permission to store nuclear waste in Texas and New Mexico. The Court didn’t weigh in on whether the sites are legal, but rather it ruled that the states challenging them didn’t follow proper procedures, so their objections were dismissed.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case that could have major implications for how nuclear waste is stored across the country—including the 3.6 million pounds of radioactive waste at San Onofre. At the center of the case is whether the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has the authority to license private interim storage facilities, such as the one proposed in Andrews County, Texas, which would hold high-level nuclear waste away from reactor sites.

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.