Lester R. Brown, internationally-acclaimed economist and environmentalist, will deliver the first annual Crossroads Lecture in Takoma Park on April 16 at 7:30 p.m.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go help operate the Crossroads Farmers Market during the coming season. The lecture will be held at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church.

Brown will discuss Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, the latest version of his book outlining what must be done to save the planet before it’s too late.

“We are trapped between a set of economic indicators telling us that things have never been better and a set of environmental indicators warning us that the economy is heading for decline and collapse,” Brown said.

“The warning signs are in rising temperatures, shrinking forests, expanding deserts, collapsing fisheries, falling water tables, melting glaciers, rising seas and declining species.”

Brown proposes an all-out effort to cut carbon emissions 80 percent by 2020.

He is the founder and president of the Earth Policy Institute, a non-profit environmental research organization based in Washington, D.C. In 1974, he founded the Worldwatch Institute, which he continued to head for 26 years.

Brown has been called “one of the world’s most influential thinkers.” He has authored or co-authored more than 50 books, which have appeared in over 40 languages.
The Crossroads Farmers Market opened last year as part of an effort to give residents of the Takoma-Langley area access to fresh, local fruits and vegetables.

Together with the Takoma Park Farmers Market, it became the first farmers market in Maryland authorized to accept Food Stamps.
The Crossroads Farmers Market also established an innovative micro-loan program to help immigrant, minority and new farmers participate in direct marketing.

Tickets to the Crossroads Lecture will cost $20 for adults and $10 for students. A reception for Brown will be held before the lecture. The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the reception will cost $75.

Tickets may be reserved by email at crossroadslecture@gmail.com or by calling 540-631-5611.