Global sand crisis (The Conversation)

Question 1

Over-exploitation of global supplies of sand is….

Answer 1

Damaging the environment, endangering communities, causing shortages and promoting violent conflict.

Question 2

Vietnam

Answer 2

In Vietnam domestic demand for sand exceeds the country’s total reserves. If this mismatch continues, the country may run out of construction sand by 2020

Question 3

What are the most-extracted materials in the world?

Answer 3

Sand and gravel, exceeding fossil fuels and biomass (measured by weight)

Question 4

In 2010, nations mined how much sand for construction alone?

Answer 4

11 billion

Question 5

Extraction rates were highest where?

Answer 5

In the Asia-Pacific region, followed by Europe and North America.

Question 6

In the United States alone, production and use of construction sand and gravel was valued at what?

Answer 6

US$8.9 billion in 2016, and production has increased by 24 percent in the past five years.

Question 7

The negative consequences of overexploiting sand are felt in poorer regions where sand is mined.

Answer 7

Extensive sand extraction physically alters rivers and coastal ecosystems, increases suspended sediments and causes erosion.