Green or greed? That is the question being posed to the community as students go head to head with movers and shakers in the worlds of politics and commerce this month.

The Island's top high school debaters are to take on adult experts in business and politics to discuss, 'Is Bermuda focused on being green or is it influenced primarily by greed?'.

The debate, on May 27, is part of a series of events by Greenrock to raise public awareness of the environment and sustainable development during Heritage Month.

This year's theme for May is 'Green Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow', and Greenrock has joined forces with Government to engage the public in what it means to be 'green' from a Bermuda perspective.

Tomorrow, Harbour Nights turns green as the sustainable development group screens the documentary film 'Bag It'.

The award-winning 80-minute film is being shown on a 50 ft screen at the Bird Cage in Front Street at 8.30 p.m.

It follows an 'everyman', American Jeb Berrier, who decides to take a closer look at the use of plastics in society and whether plastic bags are really necessary. Mr. Berrier says: "Think about it – why would you make something that you're going to use for a few minutes out of a material that's basically going to last forever, and you're just going to throw it away? What's up with that?"

Eugene Dean, of the Greenrock management committee, said viewers would find the film "enlightening".

"'Bag It' is about a man and his personal journey to get plastics out of his life," he said. "It starts with his commitment to stop using plastic bags and then turns into an adventure around the world as he learns about the impact plastic has on the environment, oceans, and human health."

Mr. Dean said: "We throw plastic things away, but where is 'away'? There really is no 'away'. The film highlights the realities of plastic and is very shocking."

The following week, Greenrock and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs will present the national debate on the environment, hosted by Gladstone Thompson, Dalton E. Tucker Primary School principal.

Mr. Dean said: "Mr. Thompson is well known for training debators and has developed several teams which have competed both locally and overseas.

"He will be putting together a high school debating team which will go up against some of the most prominent adults in the community. They will include politicians, community and business leaders, the people accustomed to the cut and thrust of debate and public speaking.

"The main topic is going to be whether Bermuda is focused on being green or whether it is influenced primarily by greed."

Mr. Gladstone is also assembling two teams of primary and middle school students who will start the evening with a youth debate on sustainability and the environment.

The event takes place at the Heritage Worship Centre in Dundonald Street, Hamilton, at 7 p.m. on May 27.

"We hope it will give people the opportunity to hear all the perspectives associated with this topic," said Mr. Dean.

"We will hear all sides, both the environmental perspective and the elements involved in business and in keeping the economy efficient and stable.

"Any major shift in environmental action would need to make sure that, while there is momentum at one end, you don't lost it at the other. It's a balancing act.

"I don't think anyone wants business to disappear but on the other hand, we don't want to destroy the environment. Having a debate like this will help us to make informed choices in the future."

Commenting on this year's Heritage Month theme, Mr. Dean said: "It is very exciting. We are thankful to the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs for taking this bold step focusing on sustainability.

"It is an excellent opportunity for us to have a sustained presence in the public domain around the themes that are in line with our mission.

"Our members are able to engage with Government in bringing programmes and initiatives to the community, and so far the feedback we've received from the public has been excellent.

"We are getting the sense that momentum is building, and hope opportunities will continue to make themselves available in the future.

"Our goal is to raise awareness on social, economic and environmental issues pertaining to sustainability. Our vision for Bermuda is to see it evolve into a sustainable state, to have a just society with an efficient economy and a healthy environment."

On Bermuda Day Greenrock will also work with Government to "green Bermuda", said Mr. Dean.

"We are trying to find effective ways to reduce waste and to increase recycling and composting, such as with the vendors, by encouraging them to use biodegradable cutlery.

"We hope the systems we put in place for greening the environment on the day will then continue afterwards. We would like to see more composting bins around the Island and hope people will recycle more and become more aware of the trash on the roadsides."

He added: "We also hope that one day, buses will start using biodiesel. Robin Gray has found a way of producing this fuel from old cooking oil and he collects it from the restaurants of Hamilton to recycle it.

"We've been telling kids that instead of standing behind a bus and getting black exhaust from diesel in their faces, it could start smelling like french fries or shrimp fried rice instead!"

Earlier this month the sustainable development group screened 'The Story of Stuff' at Somersfield Academy.

Up to 300 students saw the short animated film, followed by an evening screening for members of the public and a panel discussion.

Mr. Dean said: "The film really provides a lot of information about the downside of production and consumption. It lifts the veil on all the realities associated with product life cycles.

"In Bermuda we just consume, we have no major production facilities, and as a result the realities are something we don't tend to see. "This film shows everything, from the excretion of raw materials to the production process, distribution, consumption and ultimately waste."

Anyone who wants to see the film can also view it online for free at: www.storyofstuff.com.

On May 10, Greenrock members also appeared in the ZBM current affairs show 'Let's Talk Bermuda'. The discussion was followed by questions from the public on environmental issues, and will be re-screened on TV9 at 8 p.m. on May 24.

For more information on Greenrock go to: www.greenrock.org