On Hindustan Unilever Limited, Risk, Environment and Taittiriya Upanishad

(For Dhruv, the batman – Part I)
The Lux soap was covered in a disposable paper and wrapped in a plastic wrapping with all the print on the wrapping. Also, the soap itself was 100% vegetable oil, meaning, that the soap in itself doesn’t pose any RISK to the environment.
Thus, we have a soap, which poses no risk, which is bio-degradable, hence will merge with the environment, a paper cover which is disposable but not necessarily bio-degradable, and a plastic cover, which is positively an environmental hazard. (Dhruv, you will learn, if you already don’t know, that hazard means danger or risk, but mathematicians use this term to compute or assess risk in a certain field of mathematics called statistics. The other word you will commonly hear is called probability, associated with risk, but do not get scared by these or any words used here. Tough Words are used by those whose understanding is limited!
Moving on, plastic itself is made from carbon and hydrogen molecules, which scientists says are the basis of - “how life began”! (Such scientists are called Neo-Darwinists, and propagate “survival of the fittest” theory)
If plastics are made from the same things from which life began, how come they pose a risk?
Many elders will scold you if you ask such a question, especially if they are busy doing something. Others will say, “You will read this in science as you grow older”.
But let me not evade this question because it will help know what is contained in the Taittiriya Upanishad!
Surprised, read on, till the end of this series, and then post your questions to the elders in our family.
Science says that certain combinations of carbon and hydrogen do not decompose in a natural process in a desired time. Such combinations are called PLASTICS.
In other words, if we want to de-compose (destroy) plastics without harm to environment or remove the RISK associated with the continued existence (longevity) of plastics within a finite (limited) time frame, we need energy. Phew! Many tough words, let me re-phrase that!
Breifly, municipal corporations collect plastics separately and incinerate them. They use large amounts of energy with/without another element called Oxygen! (Small amount of pure energy combined with larger amount of oxygen is called burning, only energy in the absence of oxygen, is called incineration).
Oxygen, since it is required for humans to breathe, is always in shortage, so more energy is the way to go. And so, burning plastics in open air is not allowed, incineration is to be done – so say the scientists.
Now, some scientists believe that for producing energy you need money. In short, you need money or oxygen. Money can produce energy while oxygen is available (but limited quantities, only 21% of all air) from the environment! Money is not natural, it is man made, so we can get lots of energy by making money and remove the RISK posed by plastics!
Isn’t this incredible? No, it isn’t because many in this world don’t have the knowledge to make money. So, it necessary to know how to make money and that is not easy.
Well, Dhruv, let me tell you, listening to your elders is always the easier option, before you ask any questions further, because I will also ask you read your science!
Further, there are other scientists who believe that you have to incinerate, as otherwise, you are depriving the atmosphere of oxygen, thereby some people, who, though they have the knowledge to make money, will find themselves short of oxygen so there is a RISK to their life which far greater than the RISK posed by plastics.
Some others go further to say that all this is because the scientists believe that RISK, is about oxygen, or money. It is about none of these, The REAL CAUSE of RISK is “BELIEF”!
The scientists who study oxygen, or the atmosphere, are called physicists or chemists or engineers or doctors.
The scientists who study money and believe money is a means to energy are called economists, or bankers or traders.
The scientists who went further and said belief is the real cause of risk are called psychologists, philosopher, religious heads etc. Don’t bother about the words used to describe these people, they can be only a man or woman or a neuter in the end!
Thus, nobody agrees with the other, RISK remains a mystery! The plastic cover goes on piling!Don’t worry, Dhruv! (the batman) the world will not be devoured by the plastic demons. Don’t even let words like Climate change, Global warming, Global crisis, EL Nino, Monsoon etc worry you, there are answers to everything in our Taittiriya Upanishad because it says “all answers are contained in the LUX soap”, so read on!