Yellow Tomorrow

FROM ANTI- TO PRO-NUCLEAR

Clément is an environmentally aware high school student studying sciences with an energy and environment option. He was anything but pronuclear, far from it. But over the course of his studies, encounters and experiences, he has changed his mind.

During his studies, Clément has embarked on a project to build a sheepfold that would be self-sufficient in renewable energy. He has come up against a hard reality: the need to oversize the batteries and the great difficulty, if not impossibility, of using only 100% renewable energy. It was then that he understood the importance of multiple sources of power generation. For him, “no one energy sector can succeed on its own; sectors must work hand-in-hand.”

Meanwhile, Clément discovered the work of Tristan Kamin, a nuclear safety engineer whose arguments inspired Clément due to the relevance of the scientific data.

For Clément, it was obvious: “If we want to win the battle against climate change and limit our impact on the planet, we must galvanize to reduce our carbon emissions. And nuclear energy plays a key role in providing low-carbon energy.”

Clément is in agreement with the bold plan to revive commercial nuclear energy through the construction of six new reactors. “An additional generation of reactors is needed for the next 100 years.”

A COMMITTED ACTIVIST

Clément is now working as a spokesperson for the Pirate Party. “I joined an environmentalist party that included nuclear energy in its energy transition manifesto.” He is also a rank-and-file activist with the “Les Voix du Nucléaire” association. “I want to defend the nuclear industry, help demonstrate that nuclear energy is beneficial and break down misconceptions such as those about the danger of nuclear energy and waste.”

In his view, we should be proud of the French nuclear industry, which produces low-carbon electricity and allows France to have the smallest electricity footprint.

Since the various energy crises, Clément has felt that the winds are changing in favor of nuclear energy. “I meet young activists from the French Green Party (Europe Écologie-Les Verts) who have a more nuanced view of nuclear energy.”

Through his involvement, Clément has noticed a stronger distinction between civilian and military nuclear energy among the new generation of activists. “There is a real awareness of the urgent need to reduce CO₂ emissions, and this is made possible by nuclear energy.”