|
|
ILE to present Lester Brown Nov. 19Colorado Lester Brown will give a free public lecture--presented by the Institute for Livestock and the Environment and the Monfort Professor-in-Residence program--at Colorado State University at 7 p.m., Nov. 19. Brown was hailed as "one of the world's most influential thinkers," by The Washington Post. He has authored or co-authored over 50 books and, in 2001, founded the Earth Policy Institute, an organization dedicated to developing and implementing a plan for a sustainable future. Brown is the recipient of several prizes and awards, including 23 honorary degrees, a MacArthur Fellowship, the 1987 United Nations' Environment Prize, the 1989 World Wide Fund for Nature Gold Medal, and the 1994 Blue Planet Prize for his "exceptional contributions to solving global environmental problems." Brown will speak about his recently published book, "Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization," at the Lory Student Center. The lecture is free and open to the public. Copies of "Plan B 4.0 "will be available for sale at the event. An open forum following Lester Brown's public lecture will involve a panel of noted on-campus experts covering the areas of animal sciences, agricultural and resource economics, and sociology. The Institute for Livestock and the Environment, sponsor of the event, believes that Colorado State University is the ideal setting for open, constructive discussion of diverse viewpoints and that an open exchange of ideas can empower forward progress and problem-solving where livestock and environmental issues intersect. "Plan B 4.0", called "a great book which should wake up humankind," addresses pressing issues of rising food prices, growing numbers of hungry people, and an emerging politics of food scarcity facing our global civilization. Brown argues that food may be the issue that convinces the world of the need to cut carbon emissions 80 percent by 2020. The book's recommendations aim to protect climate, stabilize population, eradicate poverty, and restore the economy's natural support systems. "Will we follow in the footsteps of the Sumerians and the Mayans or can we change course--and do it before time runs out?" asks Brown. "Can we move onto an economic path that is environmentally sustainable? We think we can. That is what Plan B 4.0 is about." Brown started his career as a tomato farmer in southern New Jersey. He has a degree in agricultural science from Rutgers University, and masters degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Maryland and public administration from Harvard. In the 1960s Brown served as an adviser on foreign agricultural policy to the secretary of agriculture and the administrator of the department's International Agricultural Development Service. In early 1969, he left government to help establish the Overseas Development Council. In 1974, with support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Lester Brown founded the Worldwatch Institute, the first research institute devoted to the analysis of global environmental issues. In 2001, he founded the Earth Policy Institute to provide a vision and a road map for achieving an environmentally sustainable economy. In 2003, Brown authored the first book in the "Plan B" series, "Plan B: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble." According to Brown, the "Plan B" series is "shaped by what is needed to save civilization, not by what may currently be considered politically feasible." The Institute for Livestock and the Environment, sponsor of this event, was founded in January 2008. The Institute brings faculty members from 16 different disciplines across the Colorado State University system together with concerned stakeholders to develop win-win solutions to issues in the livestock industry that balance economic growth with our need for a sustainable environment. Currently, 40 CSU faculty are members of the Institute with research interests ranging from water quality, air quality, ecosystems, pathogens/disease, animal science, natural resources, and economics. Members regularly work together in interdisciplinary teams, often in conjunction with livestock producers and other stakeholders to assess the environmental, economic and social impacts of livestock production; develop viable management practices and tools to reduce environmental impacts of livestock production; evaluate public/producer support of different management practices; test feasibility of innovative practices; and advise producers and inform policy makers about new, effective tools. Lester Brown will also be giving the keynote address at the Institute's 2nd Annual Stakeholder Summit, a forum for disseminating information about research conducted by ILE faculty members, and for exchanging ideas with stakeholders from both livestock and environmental groups. The Summit will be held at the Fort Collins Hilton on Nov. 19. For more information about the Institute for Livestock and the Environment, please call 970-491- 2326 or visit www.livestockandenvironment.info.
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
