Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues & Innovations
January 11, 2022, Belmont Media Center, Belmont MA zoom recording

Robert Howarth, Ph.D., the David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology, Cornell University (NY)
Howarth-Marino Lab

Among the numerous "green" (clean) energy resources being developed, one that has received significant government and industry support is "blue" hydrogen. But this alternative fuel is actually very questionable. According to a major analysis by climate scientists Robert Howarth (Cornell Univ) and Mark Jacobson (Stanford Univ), "the greenhouse gas footprint of blue hydrogen is more than 20 percent greater than burning natural gas or coal for heat and some 60 percent greater than burning diesel oil for heat," Dr. Howarth explains what blue hydrogen is, how it is produced, and why we must consider the environmental and climate risks of developing this particular resource.

Background Articles

• Touted as Clean, ‘Blue’ Hydrogen May Be Worse Than Gas or Coal
  
• R. Howarth & M. Jacobson article How Green Is Blue Hydrogen?
  
• ‘Blue’ Hydrogen May Not Be a Very ‘Green’ Energy Source After All
• Study Warns 'Blue Hydrogen' Funded in Bipartisan Plan More Polluting Than Coal
• Fossil Fuel Companies Say Hydrogen Made From Natural Gas Is a Climate Solution. But the Tech May Not Be Very Green