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.

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: A Cautionary Tale for Puerto Princesa City and Palawan

US NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) projection map of BP oil spill trajectory. At this point in time, cleanup and containment are the only options the US government has. Mayor Hagedorn's vision takes into account cautionary tales like this

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The recent oil spill in the gulf of Mexico is a cautionary tale. As we worriedly watch aerial photos, we imagine places closer to us, in the same scenario. The oil well off the coast of Louisiana exploded a week ago [see NY Times article]. Today reports of 5,000 barrels a day leak and an oil slick thousands of square miles drifting towards the Mississippi river delta and Louisiana coast. This could turn out to be the biggest environmental disaster in US history. The message to places which are considering development of natural resources is clear: be careful!

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.

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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.

Preserve the fresh air of Puerto Princesa

Mayor Hagedorn is a pioneer in the use of electric vehicles

in an effort to preserve the fresh air of Puerto Princesa!

Hagedorn is a pioneer in the electric vehicle acquisition,

as part of his environmental efforts to keep the clean air of Puerto Pincesa, just that way.

Mayor Hagedorn collaborated in 2007 with Rolly Conception

to create the first Electric tricycle in the Philippines.

Is Eco-Tourism Just Getting Started? or Spiraling Slowly Down? New Niche for Tourists.

Palawan island is surrounded with tiny green islands full of untouched native animals and plants. Eco-tourism is just getting started in this remote south west part of the Philippines. / © 2010

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Ecotourism has not become the big business originally hoped for. The idea of ecotourism started when South American and Caribbean environmentalists wanted to entice locals to cut down less trees and instead preserve their environment. The attempt is working in some places like Costa Rica, but not in remote locations like the Brazilian Amazon or the rain forests of central America. If a resort is too remote or difficult to access, it does not attract enough visitors or attention. The environmental movement and awareness of native undeveloped environments have gone through ups and downs since the ecotourism idea was started. This is one reason for the low interest in ecotourism today. The idea simply peaked, so what's now? Focus on other environmental issues like global warming instead of preservation of natural environments, mostly rain forests, is a major factor in lower interest in ecotourism. Other factors such as the global economic downturn, emphasis on local tourism to reduce travel costs, increase in green-energy development and other environmental messages are getting more media attention. Environmental issues have their time in the public's attention, then they die. Ecotourism's media peak may have past us, but the phenomena itself may be in for better days. Now there is less news and more action.

Asian Eco-Tourism Expands Tourist Experience:

 
The Philippine island Palawan is still mostly untouched by development and is being built as the newest ecotourism location in south-east Asia

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Ecotourism today is the best way to see the incredible diversity of the earths ecology. It all started with large animals in national parks of Africa. Then came the forests of the Amazon and central America. Today we have Asian national parks and regional preserves with a completely unique environments not seen in other places. Asian tourism resorts offer shorter travel to most of the world's population. Developing parks, tourist resorts and awareness among travelers takes time. It also takes leadership, the right investors and cooperation between government and private businesses to build and maintain long term projects. In the Philippines, mayor Edward Hagedorn of Poerto Princesa, is one of the government leaders who understands the opportunity in ecotourism. He also sees the opportunity of giving tourists a wonderful look at a place not touched by development and modernization. The idea of developing economically with responsibility toward the environment is very different than developing at any cost.

No mining policy

THE CITY government of Puerto Princesa is reiterating that its “no mining” policy still prevails and it is not approving any “large scale mining” application despite the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pronouncement that it is in total contrast with the national government’s mining industry direction.

Politically correct is environmentally correct!

Supporting and promoting indigenous tribes

Mayor Hagedorn - Supporting and promoting indigenous people

The Philippine government succeeded in establishing a number of protected for tribal groups.

Indigenous people were expected to speak their native language, dress in their traditional tribal clothing, live in houses constructed of natural materials 

They are using traditional architectural designs and celebrate their traditional ceremonies of propitiation of spirits believed to be inhabiting their environment.

They are also encouraged to re-establish their traditional authority structure in which, as in indigenous society were governed by chieftains known as Rajah and Datu.

Underground River

Mayor Hagedorn

The man who has brought the Underground River to the awareness of the world 

Underground River

Underground River  - one of the “new 7 world wonders”.

http://www.new7wonders.com

Puerto Princesa

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

 Is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa

Palawan, Philippines.

It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km.

Navigable underground river

Can Mayor Hagedorn Start an Electric Car Revolution?

Subaru electric car engine: a first generation design shows what can be done quickly by car engineers. As consumers start using more electric cars, designs and technology will improve quickly.

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Mayor Edward Hagedorn, the active environmental mayor of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, wants to develop a completely green city. His idea is to use all the available technology and green trends to build a better city. Mayor Hagedorn understands how difficult it is to really make a difference. In the transportation area, Hagedorn is pushing for electric vehicles. He may be early in his idea to have the first city with complete electric transportation system. But maybe he can succeed with help. There are a few companies and governments testing comprehensive electric car services. The Israeli company Better Place, has taken on the mission of developing and running a car battery replacement service. A few car companies, such as Renault and Nissan, are offering electric and hybrid cars which do not use fossil fuel to drive the wheels. This is a first generation effort, so we can expect more soon.