Although you may not realize it, sand is one of the most essential commodities in our modern world. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, sand and gravel are the second most used natural resources after water. As a key component of cement, asphalt and glass, sand plays a major role in every aspect of our lives, from infrastructure and roads to our personal electronic devices.
However, mining practices and regulations vary across different nations, which makes it hard to keep track of global sand resources more closely. In some parts of the world, sand is already one of the least regulated natural resources. If it’s not extracted and used sustainably, we will continue to harm ecosystems, cause pollution and even displace thousands of people from their homes.
