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Rethink sand use, move to circular economy: UNEP

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    27th Apr, 2022

Context

The world needs to rethink the extraction and use of sand, the second-most used resource globally, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlighted in a new report. 

The Report

  • Title: Sand and Sustainability: 10 strategic recommendations to avert a crisis.
  • Released by: The report is released by UNEP’s Global Resource Information Database-Geneva team.

How much sand is getting used (or exploited)?

  • Around 50 billion tonnes of sand and gravel is used every year, which is enough to build a wall 27 metres wide and 27 metres high around Earth.
  • Sand is being used faster than it can be naturally replenished, so its responsible management is crucial.

Sand utilisation

  • Sand is basically made of unconsolidated granular materials consisting of either rock fragments or mineral particles or oceanic materials.
  • It is mainly made of silicate minerals and silicate rock granular particles.
  • The entire society is built on sand. It is the world’s most consumed raw material after water.
  • Primary substance: Sand is the primary substance used in the construction of roads, bridges, high-speed trains and even land regeneration projects.
  • Glass production: Sand, gravel and rock crushed together are melted down to make the glass used in every window, computer screen and smart phone.
  • o   Even the production of silicon chips uses sand. 
  • Everywhere: It’s used to make food, wine, toothpaste, glass, microprocessors, beauty care products, paper, paint and plastics

Impact of extraction of soil

  • Extracting sand where it plays an active role, such as rivers and coastal or marine ecosystems, can cause a series of damages to the environment.
  • The damages include:
    • Erosion
    • Salination of aquifers
    • Loss of protection against storm surges 
    • Impacts on biodiversity
  • These challenges pose a threat to livelihoods through water supply, food production, fisheries, or to the tourism industry.

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