Mayor Hagedorn

Mayor Hagedorn is well known around the world as the
“protective floodgate” of the environment and natural resources in Palawan,
including the rain forests, the mangrove forests and the coral reefs.

Edward S. Hagedorn

He is often termed as the ‘Philipino Al Gore’.
Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Prize laureate Al Gore with Mayor Hagedorn during his visit in Manila - June 8 2010.
Both Al Gore and Mayor Hagedorn are recipients of the United Nations Global 500 award.

Yet, it should be bear in mind that protecting the environment in North America, Europe and Australia, is not as tough task as in the rest of the world!

The destructive forces in developing countries are very powerful,
and the leader of nature protection needs you!

Hagedorn Following in Al Gore's Environmental Footsteps

Hagedorn Following in Al Gore's Environmental Footsteps

Mayor Edward Hadgedorn is follwing in Al Gore's environmental awarness footsteps. Following Al Gore is not an easy path [official Gore site]. Al Gore himslef did not choose an easy path. After suffering one of the most contentious and embarrasing presidential ellection loss, Gore could have chosen the quiet life of a retired US vice president. But he did not choose to retire quietly in Tennessee. He set out to change the world's awareness of global warming. He chose to help the people of the world become aware and responsible global environmental citizens. He first set out to speak to whomever will listen. He quietly and diligently lectured tens of thousands of American college students. Gradually he developed a clear, convincing story of global warming impact on our environment. Next he made a movie and wrote a book, mostly pictures and charts, much like his presentation. The story of global warming is not a hard one to tell. Until Al Gore came along, it was hidden in remote glaciars and academic scientists' file cabinets.

President Bill Clinton Earth Day Interview: Smart Advice for Mayor Hagedron

President Bill Clinton speaks about the American issues in ecology and economy related to his green initiatives. While the US is leading in developing solutions for difficult environmental issues, Clinton's interview can be a lesson to undeveloped regions. The US has developed many great things, but in the rush to become more modern and advanced the environment suffered. This situation is seen time and time again all around the world. President Clinton is joining his former vice-president Al Gore in promoting environmental awareness. In Palawan, there is an opportunity to learn from the US and not lose out on the opportunity to develop in an environmentally responsible manner.

Bill Clinton's description of green buildings is an example of what can be done right from the beginning. Building in an environmentally responsible manner, from lighting, insulation and basic materials, is an important issue to address. The development of Eco-tourism in Palawan can use modern ecologically friendly building standards. Here is an opportunity not only to created better buildings and less impact on the environment, to lead in showing eco-tourists what can be done. Some will actually prefer and enjoy the experience of ecologically responsible building design and construction.

In Puorto Princesa City, Mayor Hagerdron has promoted electric tricycles as a main form of transportation. President Clinton mentioned his use of a hybrid minivan. Here the two leaders clearly see their ability to promote more responsible use of green transportation. Clinton worries about the state of battery technology, and his concern is important. But his concern is a good one. The shift to hybrid and electric vehicles is going to push for better technical and operational solutions. By using batteries instead of gasoline and diesel, battery designers and recycling operators an incentive to find innovative solutions.

Mayor's Hagedorn's Local Vision: Think Globally and Act Locally

Native environments are rare and beautiful. Just a few kilometers from Poerto Princesa City are some of the regions most beautiful places. Responsible environmental development will assure this place remaining a wonderful place to visit. / © 2010

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An old environmental saying goes: “think global act local”. It is easy to say but sometimes hard to do. After you have cut the forest and contaminated the lake, it is hard to go back. A three hundred year old forest is not going to grow back in twenty years or even fifty. A lake contaminated over a century will not be cleaned up without effort, resources and time (and a great deal of leadership and desire.) It may seem obvious to most of us to learn from other people's mistakes, but most of us do not learn. Mayor Hagedorn is one of these unique individuals that learned and acts. He is aware of others' mistakes and he takes action. How do we recognize a true visionary leader from one who simply talks?

Mayor Hagedorn sees the natural resources surrounding Poerto Princesa City and understands the consequence of keeping them in a natural state. He also understands how the whole region is a unique ecotourism destination. You do not have to travel far to realize the precious position of Poerto Princesa City. Here is a region unique in natural beauty and left undeveloped. Today this unique place offers an opportunity for responsible development and ecotourism. This is where mayor Hagedorn takes his leadership position. His vision to make Poerto Princesa a tourist destination is a call to action. Now comes the hard work, the public awareness work, organization of resources and management of people and cooperation with private partners. This will prove to Poerto Princesa citizen's the mayor's proposition as a real one. He needs the citizen's, government and private sector's support. With his vision, he should be a breath of fresh air to the city and to the green environmental movement. Eventually the citizens will benefit and will thank this visionary leader for his effort and integrity.