Causes: The many colours of hydrogen – fossil fuel scam
Hydrogen (H) is the most abundant element in the universe; it makes up 70% of the sun and 90% of Jupiter. On Earth, it is present as a gas in the atmosphere only in tiny amounts – less than 1 part per million by volume. Any pure hydrogen (H) that enters the atmosphere quickly escapes the Earth’s gravity into space. It is nevertheless abundant when combined with other molecules, like oxygen, to form compounds like water (H2O) and carbon to produce methane (CH4). In some underground locations, due to the chemical interaction between certain rocks and groundwater, it can be found as gas.
In its pure elemental form, hydrogen can be burned to generate energy. Because the only by-product is water, it’s a clean source of energy that does not contribute to climate change. However, to produce hydrogen requires separating it from other compounds through electrolysis, which creates the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide CO2 and methane CH4. Moreover:
It increases the lifetime of methane in the atmosphere…multiple studies have also found burning hydrogen in power plants increases formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a pollutant that causes smog, harms public health, and also contributes to warming. – Lydersen, 2024
However there is also good news. A chemical process has been found whereby the production of hydrogen can do the opposite:
…hybrid chemo-microbial systems utilizing waste feedstocks can outperform electrolytic hydrogenation and achieve carbon-negative outcomes. – White et al 2026
