A bright badge with a bold message, this is how the ‘Smiling Sun’ became an iconic symbol of anti-nuclear resistance and global grassroots action.
In 1975, in Aarhus, Denmark, a young woman named Anne Lund, part of the newly formed Organisationen til Oplysning om Atomkraft (OOA – Organisation for Information on Nuclear Power), sat down to design a badge. The aim was to create something clear, friendly, and memorable—something that could communicate resistance to nuclear power without sounding angry or intimidating. What she came up with was a red smiling sun on a yellow background, accompanied by the slogan, 'Nuclear Power? No Thanks.'
The design was both disarming and direct. Its cheerful tone set it apart from many protest symbols of the time. Crucially, the message was phrased as a polite refusal rather than a demand that invited conversation rather than confrontation. The slogan was soon translated into over 40 languages, and the badge began its journey around the world.
The badge quickly caught on across Europe and beyond. As opposition to nuclear power grew, particularly after accidents like Three Mile Island in 1979 and Chernobyl in 1986. The Smiling Sun became a unifying symbol for a diverse, international anti-nuclear movement. Whether worn by farmers, students, or environmentalists, the badge said the same thing: this technology carries too much risk.
Part of its power came from its simplicity. It could be printed cheaply and shared widely. It didn’t belong to a single political party or ideology. Over the years, it appeared on posters, banners, T-shirts, mugs, and protest signs. Its message remained consistent, even as different groups adapted it for their local contexts and struggles.
In the early years, the OOA made a deliberate choice not to trademark the badge internationally. They wanted it to spread freely, without restriction, so that anyone who believed in its message could use it. This generosity helped the symbol flourish—but it also led to problems. Over time, companies and individuals began using the image for commercial purposes, sometimes without respecting its original spirit or intent.
To protect its meaning and prevent misuse, the OOA eventually registered the design as a trademark in Denmark. In later years, the Smiling Sun Foundation was established to manage the rights and ensure the badge remained a tool for activism rather than profit. Today, the Foundation coordinates licensing for non-profit and campaign use, while keeping the image tied to its anti-nuclear roots.
Even today, the “Nuclear Power? No Thanks” badge remains a fixture at environmental rallies and climate protests. For many campaigners, it represents not just opposition to nuclear power, but a broader stance for community-based energy, ecological responsibility, and democratic decision-making. It reminds people of the dangers of radioactive waste, reactor accidents, and the long-term costs of nuclear infrastructure.
At the same time, the badge has faced renewed debate. Some climate advocates argue for nuclear energy as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. In response, groups behind the smiling sun reaffirm their call for truly renewable sources — such as wind, solar, and hydro that are backed by decentralised, equitable systems. The badge, they say, still speaks to the need for precaution, accountability, and the right of people to say no.
The campaign is not just a piece of history as it still continues to evolve. New versions of the badge are still being created, and new translations are regularly added, reflecting the movement’s international reach. The slogan now exists in over 50 languages, including Indigenous tongues, and continues to find relevance in countries facing new or ongoing nuclear development.
The Smiling Sun Foundation remains active, supporting campaigners and helping to share the symbol’s history and purpose. Through online resources and partnerships with grassroots groups, the sun still shines on as a bright and defiant smile against the spread of nuclear power.
Anne Lund never sought to become famous, but her design became one of the most recognisable protest images of the 20th century. She and the OOA made a profound statement—not only through the badge itself, but through their choice to prioritise message over ownership, activism over profit.
Though the OOA disbanded in the 2000s, the legacy of their work continues. The badge lives on, not in museums, but on jackets, signs, and social media profiles across the world. It reminds us that simple messages, spoken kindly and worn with conviction, can ripple outward and spark real change.
☮️ Organisation: Organisation for Information on Nuclear Power
🕰️ Age: 1970s onwards
💎 Rarity: [5/10] Hard to find
🪙️ Material: Tin
📏 Size: 3.0 cm diameter approx.
🎨 Variations: Muliple languages
💰 Price Guide: £3 - £10
📌 Top Tip: Check for a trademark symbol. Badges without it are both older and rarer.
The Smiling Sun badge is one of the most recognisable and enduring symbols of the anti-nuclear movement, and it remains highly collectable among peace and environmental campaign memorabilia. Its global reach, combined with the simplicity of its design, has made it a favourite for both activists and design enthusiasts alike. Early badges from the 1970s were distributed widely at rallies, markets, and by mail order—many surviving examples carry the marks of those times, from fading colours to small scratches that tell their story. Collectors often focus on the subtle differences between printings and translations. With over fifty known language variants, the “Nuclear Power? No Thanks” slogan has appeared in forms from Danish to Japanese. Badges produced by national groups such as OOA in Denmark, WISE in the Netherlands, and UK environmental networks each have their own visual quirks, from font variations to slightly altered sun smiles. Condition and provenance play an important role in value. A badge still on its original card, or linked to a significant protest such as those at Torness or Seabrook, will generally fetch more than a loose example. Collectors also look for early print runs without the ® trademark symbol, which mark them as first-wave issues. Since the design was formally trademarked in 1977, badges produced before that date—those lacking the ® mark—are both older and more rare. Trademarked badges sell for circa £5 and non-trademark badges sell for circa £8.