Pronukleuse

Pronukleuse is a term used primarily in French-language discourse to denote a person who advocates for nuclear energy or nuclear policy. It is used to describe proponents of civilian nuclear power and, in some contexts, supporters of nuclear deterrence or security policy. The word is typically used as a noun; gendered forms exist but usage varies by speaker.

The term is formed from the prefix pro- and the word nucléaire (nuclear). In media and academic writing it appears in debates on energy, climate policy, and defense. The tone can be neutral, descriptive, or pejorative depending on the author and context.

Pronukleuses tend to argue that nuclear energy provides reliable baseload power, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances energy independence. They may advocate for safety-focused regulation, investment in new reactor designs such as small modular reactors, and robust waste management strategies. Some also emphasize the role of nuclear technology in supporting industrial development and technological innovation.

Critics of nuclear energy, and by extension of pronukleuses, point to risks of accidents and radiation, long-lived radioactive waste, high capital costs, and concerns about proliferation. Public opinion and policy vary by country, influencing how the term is perceived. Discussions around pronukleuses are often interwoven with broader energy transitions, climate goals, and national security considerations.

See also: Nuclear energy, Pro-nuclear movement, Antinuclear movement, Nuclear safety.