Sand Wars

Environmental concerns have centered on subjects such as global climate change, the state of the world's oceans, and the growing politics of water, among other topics. Less well-known is an issue that filmmaker Denis Delestrac summarizes here with a simple statement: “The world is running out of sand.” What has traditionally been a seemingly inexhaustible resource has actually become increasingly scarce—consumed for construction (buildings and roads) and landfills. In Dubai, for instance, no more sand is available for either purpose (desert sand can't be used because the grains are too slick and unstable, so the country is now importing from Australia). Singapore has used so much sand for landfill to expand its boundaries that most other nations in the region won't allow it to mine their native sand, resulting in illegal scavenging that is ruining beaches in Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. All over the world, 75 to 90 percent of beaches are in retreat (including 90 percent of those in Florida), as construction near coastlines prevents natural restoration and dams keep silt from flowing down rivers to the sea. Also, the mining of the scant sand covering the ocean floors is ruining delicate ecosystems. A timely exposé of a pressing environmental problem, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Gardner)