The world is running out of sand?

In the intricate web of human construction, sand stands as a silent cornerstone, an elemental force woven into the very fabric of concrete, asphalt, glass, and a myriad of essential building materials.

Yet, this seemingly ubiquitous resource is bound by limits, its unbridled extraction casting a shadow on the delicate balance of nature. The consequences ripple through the environment—erosion, flooding, the salination of aquifers, and the crumbling of coastal defenses.

Enter the stage of global awareness, where the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) takes center stage, orchestrating a collaboration with the eloquent Kenyan spoken word poet Beatrice Kariuki. Together, they illuminate the intricacies of sand mining, aligning their efforts with a broader vision of a zero-waste world.

Kariuki's impassioned plea echoes through a new video, urging a redoubling of efforts to construct a circular economy. "Take rubble to build structures anew," she implores, recognizing that without innovative thinking, the sands of time will inexorably slip away. Sand, Earth's second most utilized resource, follows a path of extraction—dredged from rivers, excavated from coastlines, and mined. An astounding 50 billion tonnes of sand, drawn annually for construction, could theoretically erect a nine-storey wall encircling the entire planet.

The UNEP's 2022 report, "Sand and Sustainability: 10 Strategic Recommendations to Avert a Crisis," paints a sobering picture. Sand extraction escalates at an unsustainable 6 percent annually, highlighting the magnitude of the issue and the governance gaps. The report champions the cause for recognizing sand as a strategic resource and fundamentally rethinking its extraction and utilization.

This narrative is an evolution, building upon UNEP's 2019 research that uncovered the perils of escalating sand demand over two decades—polluted rivers, rampant flooding, shrinking aquifers, and intensifying droughts.

UNEP doesn't merely pinpoint problems; it offers solutions. The prescription involves crafting legal frameworks for sand extraction, nurturing a circular economy for sand and allied materials, meticulous mapping and monitoring of sand resources, and the restoration of ecosystems marred by sand mining.

In the symphony of solutions, recycling construction materials from demolished sites takes center stage, alongside the exploration of ore-sand's potential. Ore-sand, a by-product of mineral processing tailored for construction and industrial applications, not only curtails mine tailings but also promises an alternative wellspring of sand—a harmonious note in the global chorus of circular economy aspirations.

Testing your understanding:

True or false: 

1. Sand is mentioned as a fundamental component in concrete, asphalt, glass, and various building materials.

2. The extraction of sand, when unregulated, has no impact on the environment according to the text.

3. The UNEP's collaboration with Kenyan poet Beatrice Kariuki aims to draw attention to the issues related to deforestation.

4. According to the UNEP's 2022 report, the rate of sand extraction is considered sustainable at approximately 6 percent annually.

5. True/False: One of the solutions proposed by the UNEP involves creating legal frameworks for sand extraction, but it does not address the need for a circular economy for sand.

Pick the right answer:

1. What is the primary consequence of unbridled sand extraction mentioned in the text?

• • A) Soil Enrichment

  • B) Desertification

  • C) Erosion, flooding, aquifer salination, and coastal defense crumbling

  • D) Increased Vegetation

2. According to the text, what is the main focus of the collaboration between UNEP and Beatrice Kariuki?

• • A) Deforestation

  • B) Climate Change

  • C) Zero-Waste Initiatives and Sand Mining Issues

  • D) Ocean Conservation

3. What does Beatrice Kariuki urge in her plea, as mentioned in the text?

• • A) Increase in Sand Extraction

  • B) Reducing Global Population

  • C) Construction of Circular Economy and Use of Rubble

  • D) Halting Construction Projects

4. How much sand, approximately, is mentioned to be extracted annually for construction purposes?

• • A) 10 billion tons

  • B) 25 billion tons

  • C) 50 billion tons

  • D) 100 billion tons

5. What is NOT mentioned as part of the UNEP's proposed solutions in the text?

• • A) Legal Frameworks for Sand Extraction

  • B) Circular Economy for Sand and Allied Materials

  • C) Meticulous Mapping and Monitoring of Sand Resources

  • D) Promoting Increased Sand Extraction

Answer Key: 

True and False: 

1. True

2. False

3. False

4. False

5. False

Pick the right answer key:

1. C

2. C

3. C

4. C

5. D