Putting the Hydrogen Horse Before the Political Cart

An interesting article by Rex Ewing:

The current best guess for how we might logically proceed toward a hydrogen economy involves using coal and natural gas -- in clean processes that sequester carbon -- as short term hydrogen sources, while developing and implementing a renewable solar, wind and biomass infrastructure over the long haul. On the plus side, all the technologies needed to make this happen already exist, at least on a small scale. The overwhelming problem we face is in producing -- and paying for -- the sheer volume of fuel humanity consumes.

This is where politics slithers into the picture and people start getting hot under the collar. Don't get me wrong; I have no problem with political wrangling. For better or worse, it's part of the process. I'm only suggesting that political opinions will serve a greater purpose when they're buttressed by cold, hard facts.

...The point is, there is no one right way to wean ourselves from the beastly carbon cow and make the conversion to clean hydrogen fuels. The process will inevitably lead down a number of paths and will require the combined efforts of a multitude of rational, intelligent researchers, engineers, administrators and, yes, even politicians. Politicians who are obliged to listen to us, whether or not we know what we're talking about.

Very well said.