Abstract

Sand is an indispensable yet often overlooked component of modern life—embedded in the concrete of our cities, the glass of our windows, the roads beneath our feet, and even the electronics we rely on daily. However, few recognize that sand is the world’s most heavily extracted resource, with over 50 billion tonnes mined annually, far exceeding its natural replenishment rate. This unchecked extraction has triggered a global sand crisis, contributing to severe ecological degradation, deepening social inequalities, and undermining the foundations of sustainable development.