Students went head-to-head with politicians as Greenrock hosted a national debate on the Environment.

The Island's top high school debaters challenged prominent figures in business and politics, with the motion that 'Green energy should be mandatory in Bermuda'.

The proposal of the senior students was that all homes should be reliant on renewable energy by 2040, with businesses using 20 percent renewables and 80 percent fossil fuels.

Glenn Simmons and Kishon Augustus of Berkeley Institute and Coy Millett of Warwick Academy argued for the motion, saying renewable energy was clean and reliable and would eventually save people money.

Government Senator and radio host Thaao Dill, Bermuda Democratic Alliance deputy leader Kathy Michelmore, and former Premier and businessman Sir John Swan argued it would be unreliable.

The students said Bermuda's consumption of traditional fossil fuels was rising each year, adding to global warming.

Senator Dill said the Island's carbon footprint was negligible by other nations' standards. Bermuda was ranked 171st out of 212 countries in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

He said a mandate for solar, wind and wave power in each home would be "impossible" due to the size of the Island.

Sen. Dill said: "A green energy mandate is naive at best and at worst, simply convoluted."

Kishon argued: "If we as an Island take heed to our plan and enforce renewable energy, we will be helping to lower the rate of global warming."

Dr. Michelmore said alternative energy was dependent on the weather and so was therefore "unpredictable".

She said while wave power technology was in its infancy, a solar [panel] farm would be "inadequate to provide all our energy needs".

Wind turbines meanwhile, would be costly and have an environmental impact on coral reefs.

"Green energy is expensive and problematic," she said, arguing that a better way forward would be to adopt more energy efficiency and conservation.

Arguing for the motion, Glenn said: "The Opposition fails to realise that making green technology mandatory in Bermuda is a good thing.

"We should rely on green energy and not rely on foreign countries to bring us oil."

Sir John Swan said he was "very impressed" with the young team in opposition.

Coy, concluding his team's argument, said: "When it comes to the future of my children, your children, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, this is something we need to invest in."

The debate, at the Heritage Worship Centre, Hamilton, last week, was part of a series of events by Greenrock to raise public awareness of the environment and sustainable development.

This year's Heritage Month theme was 'Green Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'. The event was hosted by Gladstone Thompson principal of Dalton E. Tucker Primary School.

For more information visit www.greenrock.org.