Has solution to climate change been buried deep in Earth all along?

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Independent or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Recent discoveries of vast underground deposits of white hydrogen, also known as natural or geologic hydrogen, are attracting global attention
• Unlike other forms of hydrogen, white hydrogen doesn't require electricity to be separated from other elements, potentially offering a cleaner and more cost-effective energy source

🔭 The context: Hydrogen is categorized by colors indicating its production method and sustainability, with white hydrogen emerging as a potentially limitless and clean energy source
• It's already in use in a village in Mali, providing electricity through direct combustion without carbon emissions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As countries seek alternatives to fossil fuels, white hydrogen could play a significant role in the energy transition
• However, challenges such as its flammability, the difficulty in detecting leaks, and the cost of transportation due to its lightness need to be addressed

⏭️ What's next: The interest in white hydrogen is growing, with significant investments flowing in. The industry could be valued at $75 billion by 2030
• The focus now is on developing technologies and policies to safely harness this resource

💬 One quote: "If it does, perhaps the oil and gas industry can turn its capabilities to extracting hydrogen produced by subsurface geological processes, shepherding in a new era of low-carbon fuels" (Michael Webber, University of Texas)

📈 One stat: A US-based startup claims white hydrogen could be produced at half the cost of the cheapest green hydrogen, indicating significant economic potential

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