Cashing in Their Chips?

Semiconductors (computer chips) are integral to the functioning of electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines. These are the technologies lined up to save the planet from the climate crisis. The manufacture of chips has, however, a very substantial carbon footprint (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/18/semiconductor-silicon-chips-carbon-footprint-climate). An illustration of the problem is provided by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. They are the world's biggest chip producer, supplying, for example, Apple. In 2019, this chip manufacturer used 5% of Taiwan's entire electricity output. This figure is scheduled to rise in 2022. The Company also used 63m tons of water. Water use was contentious as there was a drought, impacting on the country's agriculture. Although the company is promising to 'go green by 2050', this will not be easy.