In the vast cosmic void, the first element that emerged was hydrogen—the simplest, yet the most powerful element in existence.
When I think about the origins of the universe, a thought often strikes me—what was the first thing that came into existence after absolute nothingness? In mathematics, after zero (shoonya), the first number is one. In the vast cosmic void, the first element that emerged was hydrogen—the simplest, yet the most powerful element in existence. Hydrogen is not just another element; it is the fundamental building block of the universe, the fuel that has been providing energy since the beginning of time.
The Cosmic Role of Hydrogen
From the birth of stars to the energy that sustains life on Earth, hydrogen has been at the center of it all. The Sun, which nourishes our planet with light and warmth, is nothing but a massive hydrogen fusion reactor. The energy we receive from the Sun, the force that drives weather patterns, supports plant growth, and ultimately sustains all life forms, is a result of hydrogen atoms fusing together to form helium.
This means that every drop of energy we consume today—whether from food, fossil fuels, or renewable sources—traces back to hydrogen. In a way, hydrogen is the origin of all energy, the force behind life itself.
Hydrogen and Life
The significance of hydrogen goes beyond just energy. When hydrogen burns, it doesn’t release carbon dioxide, smoke, or pollutants. Instead, it gives back the very essence of life—water (H₂O). The ancient wisdom of our land says, “Jal hi jeevan hai” (Water is life). If we look deeper, we realize that hydrogen itself is the reason for life because it creates water, the fundamental requirement for existence.
Isn’t it poetic that the cleanest fuel we could ever imagine produces nothing but water, the very substance that sustains us? Yet, as a species, we have been blind to this truth for centuries. Instead of embracing hydrogen as the ultimate clean energy source, we have spent generations burning coal, oil, and gas—polluting the air, depleting resources, and warming the planet.
The Mistake We Are Still Making
Even now, as the world turns towards hydrogen as the fuel of the future, we are making a critical mistake. Most hydrogen today is produced by splitting water (H₂O) using electrolysis or reforming methane (CH₄), both of which have sustainability issues. Electrolysis consumes vast amounts of freshwater, a precious resource, while methane reforming still releases carbon emissions.
This is where we need to change our approach. Instead of destroying water to create hydrogen, we should look towards alternative, more sustainable methods—hydrogen from biomass, waste, or even directly from the atmosphere.
Hydrogen is abundant in the universe. It doesn’t need to be extracted from water, just as oxygen doesn’t need to be extracted by burning forests. We have better, cleaner ways to harness it, and the time has come to embrace those technologies.
Hydrogen: The Key to a Net Zero Future
If we truly recognize hydrogen for what it is—the first element, the eternal energy source, the giver of water and life—we will stop treating it like just another fuel. It is not just an alternative energy source; it is the energy source that has always existed. The moment we align our energy systems with the natural, sustainable flow of hydrogen, we will take a step closer to a truly net zero world.
The universe has already given us the answer—hydrogen. Now, the only question is, will we listen?
