Location
I want to present a small exhibition on the environmental risks of semiconductor mining in Taiwan. The exhibition will be held at the multi-annual International Conference on Environment and Life Science, which will be held in the country, the world’s largest supplier, in February, March, July, and August (“Ecology Conferences in Taiwan 2024” Peters 1642). The choice of this location is guided by the need for a clear, scientific focus on the problem: the issue involves several economic, environmental, and social aspects that require detailed coverage. Any problem requires preliminary research before it attracts the attention of the authorities, who are already making adjustments to preserve the environment. As a result, it is essential to first draw the attention of scientists to this issue, and this exhibition in the leading country in production is an excellent opportunity.
Concept
The exhibition’s concept centers on the problem of semiconductor mining. According to recent data, its production requires significant energy, which is supplied by non-renewable sources in Asia, such as coal, leading to environmental pollution (Ibitz 500). However, this material is used in most smart devices worldwide – Apple is the largest buyer of companies in this country (Hao and Bu 176). Current problems could affect the world – the increasing pace of production of smartphones, computers, and tablets presents risks due to difficulties in production that will harm not only the environment but also the economies of many countries (Kempf et al. 69). The exhibition will look like this:
Mockups of various devices, from smartphones to complex production installations, will be created. Next to each layout, a sign will indicate how many semiconductors it takes to make one device and how much coal is needed for production. In the center of the exhibition, a screen will reflect the current emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere from coal combustion, and a countdown will show when irreversible consequences for the entire world will arise due to recent growth rates. This installation should pique scientists’ interest with its brevity and indication of the scale of the problem; it is highly relevant, as action is required now, and applicable, since Taiwan is the leader in production.
Aims
The exhibition invites participation in addressing the problem, as scientists from different countries, including Taiwan, can build an evidence base for this issue. By seeing all devices, including smartphones, stakeholders will understand that these considerations can ultimately affect everyone, significantly and negatively impacting the economy, work, and social processes, not just harming the environment.
Audience
The target audience is scientists and people of science, because paying attention to this issue is in their best interests and within their abilities. In academic circles, semiconductor issues are viewed in terms of the potential of new technologies or activities amid a pandemic and political tensions with China (Chang 1782; Shattuck 101). However, globally, no one is considering the consumption of natural resources, pollution, and the potential depletion of minerals.
Interpretation
The exhibition is quite laconic in its presentation. Showcasing mockups of devices ranging from the smallest, everyday devices to highly specialized production machines underscores the scale of the semiconductor industry’s worldwide influence. Next to each device mockup, the resources spent and potential harm will be indicated – quantitative data that scientists are used to interpreting; accordingly, the exhibition’s tone and accessibility are precisely adapted to the target audience. Only the countdown has a particular impact on emotions. It makes one think about the importance, while the rest of the information contains factual, albeit approximate, data – briefly and to the point.
Design
The exhibition description is already provided in the section above. It will be placed in one room – the walls above the layouts will be painted green. In contrast, the colors next to the layouts will range from yellow to red, with emphasis on the device’s resource use and its impact on human activity and the environment. The devices will be arranged in a circle around the main screen, where quantitative data on harmful consequences and a countdown to irreversible consequences will be displayed on the projector. All of the specified quantitative data are extrapolated into the calculation of the time displayed on the screen; otherwise, there remains scope for solving the problem, which scientists can already use based on their own experience and subject area of activity.
Sustainability
Many large companies are now required to engage in sustainability activities. Many international organizations initiate work by countries’ legislative bodies to address global environmental problems. The basis of any issue is the research of scientists who first postulate the need to solve the problem. Semiconductor production in Taiwan requires such intervention for many reasons: coal is still used for energy, air and water are polluted, and this resource is, in principle, exhaustible, yet demand for devices that use it is only growing.
On a global scale, this problem is just one of many others. Still, its consequences can affect every person who uses a smartphone. Sooner or later, to meet demand, production will cross a line into irreversible consequences, as Earth’s temperature rises further, or other unfavorable outcomes occur. Focusing on this issue requires the initial participation of scientists who will show all the potential consequences to the authorities to initiate work to save the environment.
Works Cited
Chang, Kuo-Hao, et al. “Big data analytics energy-saving strategies for air compressors in the semiconductor industry–an empirical study.” International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 60, no. 6, 2022, pp. 1782-1794.
“Ecology Conferences in Taiwan 2024” Upcoming Ecology Conferences in Taiwan 2024.
Hao, David, and Nailin Bu. “The broad and pivotal roles of Taiwanese electronics industry in the global electronics supply chain: A case study of Foxconn and TSMC.” International Business in the New Asia-Pacific: Strategies, Opportunities and Threats, 2022, pp. 161-196.
Ibitz, Armin. “Assessing Taiwan’s endeavors towards a circular economy: the electronics sector.” Asia Europe Journal, Vol. 18, no. 4, 2020, pp. 493-510.
Kempf, Tristan, Vito Bobek, and Tatjana Horvat. “The impacts of the American-Chinese trade war and Covid-19 pandemic on Taiwan’s sales in semiconductor industry.” International Journal of Economics and Finance, Vol. 13, no. 4, 2021, pp. 62-72.
Peters, Michael A. “Semiconductors, geopolitics and technological rivalry: the US CHIPS & Science Act, 2022.” Educational Philosophy and Theory, Vol. 55, no. 14, 2023, pp. 1642-1646.
Shattuck, Thomas J. “Stuck in the Middle: Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry, the US-China Tech Fight, and Cross-Strait Stability.” Orbis, Vol. 65, no. 1, 2021, pp.101-117.