Imagine the Brooklyn Bridge covered in wind turbines; Facebook helps wineries go green; and is James Bond getting ready to give hydrogen the thumbs-up?

Bloomberg Offers Windmill Power Plan : It looks like New York may be attempting to co-opt Chicago’s reputation as the Windy City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is floating an ambitious plan to generate 10 percent of New York’s electricity through windpower in about ten years. Bloomberg outlined hopes to festoon city bridges and skyscrapers with turbines, along with constructing offshore wind farms. It’s a tall order for a mayor with only 18 months left in his term. Mayor Bloomberg says he’s met privately with Texas oil baron T. Boone Pickens to discuss the plan. Pickens is investing millions in the construction of what promises to be the world’s largest wind farm. (New York Times)

Scientists urge U.S. to protect economy from climate: A consortium of eight scientific organizations is urging the next U.S. President to invest in technology designed to mitigate climate change — before it damages the economy. The groups are asking both major party candidates to agree to at least $9 billion in climate research and development between 2010 and 2014. The consortium says the U.S. economy could face roughly $2 trillion in economic impact thanks to climate-fueled changes in weather and growing conditions. (Reuters)

Facebook Users Spur Green Power in the Wine Industry: A new Facebook application that allows users to gift small amounts of renewable energy is pushing wineries toward pollution-free power. A company called Village Green Energy is matching user gifts swapped via the Green My Vino application and presenting them in the form of Renewable Energy Credits to eight participating wineries. In return, the wineries agree to purchase additional RECs equivalent to a year’s energy use, effectively offsetting the footprint of their annual production. (GreenBiz)

New Catalyst Can Produce Hydrogen Efficiently from Biofuels: A new catalyst hold out the promise of even cheaper and more efficient automotive fuel cells. Ohio State University researchers say the new compound can produce hydrogen from ethanol at 90% efficiency at only 350 C. The catalyst contains no expensive precious metals, and is made from ceramic ingredient cerium oxide and calcium. (CleanTechnica)

Is James Bond Bringing Hydrogen Power To The Big Screen?: Hydrogen vehicles may be about to get a bit of Hollywood promotion, thanks to a cameo in the upcoming James Bond flick Quantum of Solace. The movie features a special edition of the upcoming redesigned Ford Ka, one of the company’s world cars slated for future U.S. production. Publicity photos of the movie vehicle show side graphics saying “Greener Planet” and a subtle hood decal labeling the Ka as powered by hydrogen. Nobody seems to have any comment over whether the hydrogen stickers are simply a plot device — or early signs that Ford plans to actually market such a vehicle. (Ecorazzi)

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