"Flammable air," as hydrogen was once known, may hold the key to a carbon-free future. On June 3, 2025, scientists from the UK and Canada announced a groundbreaking discovery: the Earth's lithosphere naturally produces and stores vast reserves of hydrogen.
According to research published in "Nature Reviews Earth & Environment," these reserves could potentially meet global energy demands for an astounding 170,000 years. This natural hydrogen, generated by geochemical reactions between water and iron-rich minerals, offers a clean and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.
The extraction of this subterranean hydrogen is similar to natural gas extraction, involving techniques like drilling and geothermal stimulation. A notable example is a hydrogen deposit in Mali, boasting over 90% purity. While challenges remain, including subsurface microbes that consume hydrogen, this discovery could revolutionize the global energy sector, paving the way for a sustainable, carbon-free future.