UNEP Warns 50 Billion Tonnes of Sand Extraction Threaten Ecosystems and Livelihoods
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 12
UNEP Warns 50 Billion Tonnes of Sand Extraction Threaten Ecosystems and Livelihoods
9 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 12
50 billion tonnes of sand are extracted globally each year, UNEP said, with mining now outpacing natural replenishment and undermining coasts, rivers, aquifers and biodiversity.
The report says sand is not only a construction input for concrete, chips and solar panels; left in place, it also buffers sea-level rise, filters water and sustains fisheries and tourism.
In the Maldives, a 192-hectare Gulhifalhu reclamation project used 24.5 million cubic metres of dredged sand and destroyed 200 hectares of coral reef and lagoon habitat, including protected areas.
UNEP said about half of dredging companies operate in marine protected areas, accounting for 15% of dredged volume, while similar projects in the Philippines and Indonesia devastated fishing grounds and incomes.
The agency called for tighter governance, mapping, monitoring and transparency as climate-vulnerable states such as the Maldives face a worsening trade-off between land expansion and ecological damage.
Our cities and phones are built on vanishing sand. What is the world's backup plan?
From tech giants to 'sand mafias,' who truly profits from this hidden environmental crisis?
With companies dredging inside marine sanctuaries, is global ocean protection just an illusion?
Global Sand Crisis 2060: Why the World’s Most Used Resource Is Disappearing—and What We Must Do Now
Overview
The world is facing an escalating crisis as demand for sand, a cornerstone of modern infrastructure, is rapidly outstripping its sustainable supply. International bodies, including the UN environment agency, are sounding urgent alarms, warning that global sand consumption is on an unsustainable trajectory. The current rate of sand demand is outpacing the planet’s ability to replenish it, which has profound implications for both development and the environment. As sand is also vital for ecological balance, this critical situation highlights the urgent need for action to ensure sand remains available for future generations.