antinuclear

Antinuclear describes attitudes and movements that oppose or seek to limit the use of nuclear technologies, particularly nuclear weapons and nuclear power. The term can refer to individuals, groups, or policy positions that advocate disarmament, nonproliferation, or a phase-out of nuclear energy.

Historically, anti-nuclear sentiment emerged in the early to mid-20th century in response to the development of nuclear weapons and later to civilian nuclear power. Movements organized around concerns about safety, environmental impact, radiation exposure, and the risk of nuclear accidents and weapons proliferation. The breadth of the movement has included campus protests, veteran and survivor advocacy, and global campaigns, often overlapping with broader environmental and peace movements.

In energy policy debates, antinuclear advocates stress dangers such as potential accidents, long-lived radioactive waste, and unresolved liabilities of decommissioning plants, arguing for alternative energy sources and strict nonproliferation measures. Proponents of nuclear power counter that safety improvements reduce risk and that nuclear energy can provide reliable, low-carbon power, which they view as essential in addressing climate change. The debate often centers on safety culture, regulatory oversight, and the pace of transitioning to renewable energy versus maintaining existing reactors.

Prominent organizations associated with anti-nuclear work include Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, among many national and local groups. The movement has influenced public policy, international treaties, and disarmament negotiations, while opinions on the feasibility, timeline, and methods of disarmament and energy transition remain diverse and contestable.