Why hydrogen makes sense as a motor fuel of the future: with of without global warming

While at this writing no international treaty is in sight, the developing international consensus on the reality of global warming will likely be followed over the next five to 10 years by an international consensus. Advocates of hydrogen as a motor fuel of the future have hoped for impetus from the international response to global climate change. Our view is that hydrogen advocates need not wait. There are sufficient environmental and public health benefits of direct hydrogen fuel to justify moving ahead based on what we know already about fossil fuels, their consequences and their limitations. The economic case for hydrogen will continue to strengthen as well, even without a global warming treaty. A climate change treaty would only 'sweeten the pot'. (author)