The Sand Crisis: An Unknown Dilemma
Sand is the most used solid material in the world, over 50 billion tons are used every year. Despite being the aforementioned most used solid material, there is little public information or discussion on the topic of sand supply chains and related security matters. This analytical overview will address this gap somewhat and highlight the critical importance and impact which sand extraction has on the environment, crime, and human security.
The Environmental Importance of Sand
Many negative environmental consequences have been ignored as the extraction and use of sand has minimal regulation in most areas. Sand is heavily extracted because it is used in many items produced by humans; for example, concrete, glass, and silicon. Most people may know about the first two, but a very limited number of people will know silicon, a key component in electronics, such as computers and phones, is made using sand. This is important, as there is a shortage of certain types of sand, especially those sourced responsibly. In tension with its industrial and commercial use, sand also ensures that organisms have healthy habitats and protects beaches from storm surges. When sand is removed by humans it causes “additional environmental risks”, which can escalate into larger threats.
The rise of “Sand Mafias”:
The massive demand for sand for buildings and new technology has led companies to destroy riverbeds and beaches. As demand increases, and supply runs low in certain areas, organized crime arises- “India is the worst” when it comes to crime concerning sand. In India, columns of trucks, loaded with sand from the Sindh River are moving illegal contraband, sand from this river, across and out of the country. These ‘sand mafias’ may not sound terrible, but they are incredibly dangerous. Law enforcement officers have been bribed and even killed by mafias, such as a ranger who was crushed to death by a tractor which was carrying illegally mined sand. Reporters attempting to cover stories on the illegal mining of sand have been murdered as well. Illegal sand mining operations happen in over 70 countries worldwide.
Sand and Human Security:
Not only does sand mining harm the environment, people get caught up in the process too, especially in areas of water shortages. Deltas shrink and sink when rivers are mined – for example, the Mekong Delta, a major source of water for millions in Asia is shrinking and sinking. As much as 90% of the regular amount of sediment that once traveled down this river, and others are now being excavated. This limits the amount of soil moving downstream to replace eroded soil, and risks major floods in the river’s surrounding area.
Chillingly titled articles such as “Why is America Running out of Water?” and “London could run out of water in 25 years”, may seem far-fetched, but they are speaking the truth. Along with the sand crisis, there is a water crisis. Throughout the 20th century, water usage grew twice as fast as population; by 2050 or sooner, British rivers could “lose more than half their water”. In fifty years or less, America’s fresh water supply will be reduced by around a third. As population increases, India is expected to feel a severe water shortage, as many are already having to wait for water – “India’s overall water availability is running dry”. Many water sources in India are being contaminated and thanks to ‘sand mafias’, the water crisis there is only getting worse. While these countries all have different populations and issues contributing to the water shortage, the mining of sand is only making it far worse, directly or indirectly.
This problem is hard to visualize, as sand seems limitless – it is everywhere we go. However, we are using “twice the amount of sand that is produced every year naturally”. Animal life is lost, floods threaten humanity, and this only causes more salt to be mixed in with waterbeds, making the ongoing water crisis far worse. Sand makes up 85% of the mass materials humanity mines, as one of the most mined materials in the world, restrictions and guidelines are needed. The UN’s Environment Program has created a multi-part recommendation packet, however it has received little attention. These recommendations need to be adhered to and countries need to begin providing guidelines and environmentally safe requirements when it comes to mining sand. If nothing is done, rivers will continue to run dry, and our supply of essentials will as well.