Question

In what respects does the Neem tree stand as a metaphor for globalization? Has globalization as it has been developed thus far helped to reduce the number of chronically hungry people in the world? Why or why not? Please answer in perspective to the reading "The Nexus and the neem tree" by Robet W. Kates

Answer 1

Answer- Dr. Robert Kates is a geographer and worked as the first director of the Fienstein World Hunger program at Brown University. He received the National Medal of Science for his work on hunger, environment and natural hazards. Dr. Robert describes the importance of Neem tree in his report published in 1992. He said that it is a tree which solves global problems and benefits every person on earth. This plant has uncountable benefits including use in pest control, reduces erosion, deforestation and the excessive temperature of an overheated globe. Wherever it grows, Neem provides shade, firewood, cosmetics, oil, lubricants, medicines, toothbrush to prevent gum disease and natural pesticides. The Neem tree stands as a metaphor for globalization as it has become an international product and is used for the betterment of the environment and human beings.

Dr. Robert has defined three main types of hunger which are chronic household hunger, episodic hunger and special needs hunger. Each one of them responds differently to globalization. It is estimated that around 800-900 million people are chronically hungry all over the world. They have issues like low and insufficient income, low rate of children's growth and ability to work. The population of chronically hungry people can be estimated by the size of the population, the average income per person, the distribution of income across the population and a hunger line below which the people are thought to be hungry. The NAS- NRC reports suggests that chronic hunger has been reduced at a great level due to the impact of globalization. Globalization helps to eliminate the causal elements of chronic hunger by influencing different factors like making contraception more accessible, providing opportunities for education and work for women, and encouraging opportunities for women's rights. It also helps to increase per capita income and decrease inequity overall between countries.