99% Invisible
Built on Sand
Jul 9, 2019
Join author Vince Beiser, who explores the astonishing impact of sand in 'The World in a Grain.' He argues that sand is the unsung hero behind modern civilization, essential for concrete and technology despite its looming depletion. The discussion unveils the global sand crisis, driven by rapid urbanization, along with environmental degradation caused by extraction. Innovations in sustainable building materials, like carbon capture technologies and alternative resources, are also highlighted, urging a rethink of our resource consumption for a sustainable future.
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Quick takeaways
- Sand, as the foundation of modern civilization, is facing an environmental crisis driven by unsustainable consumption patterns and rapid urbanization in developing countries.
- Addressing the embodied carbon in building materials and transitioning to low-carbon alternatives are crucial to mitigate the environmental impact of construction and meet climate targets.
Deep dives
The Importance of Sand in Modern Civilization
Sand is the foundation of modern civilization, being a crucial ingredient in concrete, glass, and silicon chips. Without sand, we wouldn't have the buildings, roads, and technology that we rely on. However, the demand for sand is rapidly increasing, leading to environmental damage and conflicts over sand mining. The sand crisis is driven by the exponential growth of cities in developing countries, particularly China, which consumes the most sand in the world. While alternative materials and methods can help reduce the use of sand, the root problem lies in our unsustainable consumption patterns.
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