Rising global hydrogen emissions since 1990 have intensified climate change by indirectly heating the atmosphere and amplifying methane’s impact, according to new research.
The study provides the first comprehensive accounting of hydrogen sources and sinks worldwide.
Authored by the Global Carbon Project, the research finds hydrogen indirectly heats the atmosphere about 37 times faster than carbon dioxide during the first 20 years after release.
Over 100 years, its warming effect is roughly 11 times stronger than carbon dioxide.
Unlike carbon dioxide or methane, hydrogen does not trap heat directly. Instead, it reacts with atmospheric chemicals that normally break down methane, allowing methane to persist longer and warm the planet for extended periods.
“Hydrogen is the world’s smallest molecule, and it readily escapes from pipelines, production facilities, and storage sites,” said Rob Jackson, senior author of the study.
“The best way to reduce warming from hydrogen is to avoid leaks and reduce emissions of methane, which breaks down into hydrogen in the atmosphere.”
Researchers estimate atmospheric hydrogen concentrations rose about 70% from preindustrial times to 2003, stabilised briefly, then increased again after 2010.
Between 1990 and 2020, human activities were the primary driver of rising emissions.
Soils removed roughly 70% of hydrogen emissions over that period, largely through bacteria consuming hydrogen for energy.
Even so, hydrogen’s buildup contributed around 0.02°C to global warming, comparable to the cumulative emissions of an industrialised nation such as France.
The findings raise concerns for future hydrogen fuel systems, especially as more than 90% of today’s hydrogen is produced using carbon-intensive methods.
Researchers say limiting leaks and cutting methane emissions will be critical to securing hydrogen’s climate benefits.
Overlooked hydrogen emissions are heating the Earth appeared first on Energy Live News.